A 12-year-old girl, Eleanor Woods, has created a green backpack that filters (过滤) out air pollution. Her innovative bag won the award of the “Backpack to the Future” competition.
The competition was launched to encourage students to combine an interest in fashion with a career in science, technology, engineering or maths.
Powered by green energy from solar power and a dynamo-a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy-the backpack filters polluted air before fanning out cleaner air nearby.
Air pollution was always Eleanor’s concern. Meanwhile, spending a lot of time with her asthmatic (患哮喘病的) mum, Eleanor especially focused on how pollution affects a person’s health and the spread of diseases. “We have an air filter at home because my mum has mild asthma. But what if she wants to go out? It would be inconvenient and dangerous! My Breathe Better Backpack is about keeping those like my mother safe using an air filter. It looks cool and will help get them outside and fight off colds,” Eleanor said.
The girl added, “My generation has really realized pollution, and we have lessons on it at school. This is another reason why I designed this, because we need to do something.”
1. Who will most probably benefit from the backpack?A.Students living in poverty. | B.Those suffering from asthma. |
C.People working in an open way. | D.Judges worried about pollution. |
A.Humorous and modest. | B.Ambitious and selfless. |
C.Confident and fearless. | D.Creative and considerate. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Sugar cane (甘蔗) contains around 10% sugar. But that means it contains around 90% non-sugar — the material known as bagasse (甘蔗渣) which remains once the sugar-bearing juice is squeezed out. World production of cane sugar was 185 million tonnes in 2017, which results in a lot of bagasse.
At the moment, most of it is burned. But Zhu Hongli, a mechanical engineer at Northeastern University, in Boston, thinks it can be put into better use. As she, and her colleagues describe, in Matter this week, with a bit of improving bagasse makes an excellent and biodegradable (可生 物降解的) replacement for the plastic used for disposable food containers such as coffee cups.
Dr. Zhu is not the first person to have this idea. But previous attempts tended not to survive contact with liquids. She knew from previous research that the main reason why past efforts fell to pieces when wet is that bagasse is composed of short fibres which are unable to hold the finished product. She therefore sought’ to insert a suitably long-fibred substance.
Bamboo seemed to be the best choice. It grows quickly/degrades readily and has appropriately long fibres. And it worked. When the researchers blended bamboo remaining into bagasse, they found that the result had a strong crossing of short and long fibres.
To put their new material through its paces, Dr. Zhu and her colleagues first poured hot oil onto it and found that, rather than passing through the material, as it would have with previous, bagasse products, the oil was resisted by their invention.
They also found that when they made a cup out of the stuff and filled it with water heated almost to boiling point, the cup remained unbroken for more than two hours. Though this is not as long as a plastic cup would last, it is long enough for all practical purposes.
What would be the best title for the text?
A.New Bamboo Containers | B.A New Application of Fibres |
C.Young and Promising Materials | D.A Perfect Mix of Cane and Bamboo |
【推荐2】HUNCH is designed to connect high school classrooms with NASA engineers. For the past two years, Gordon’s students have been studying ways to kill bacteria in zero gravity, and they think they’re close to a solution(解决方案). “We don’t give the students any breaks. They have to do it just like NASA engineers,” says Florence Gold, a project manager.
"There are no tests," Gordon says. "There is no graded homework. There almost are no grades, other than 'Are you working towards your goal?' Basically, it’s 'I’ve got to produce this product and then, at the end of year, present it to NASA.' Engineers come and really do an in-person review, and... it’s not a very nice thing at times. It’s a hard business review of your product."
What do the NASA engineers do for the students in the program?
A.Check their product. | B.Guide project designs. |
C.Adjust work schedules. | D.Grade their homework. |
【推荐3】A device that stops drivers from falling asleep at fine wheel is about to undergo testing at Department of Transport laboratories and could go on sale within 12 months.
The system, called Driver Alert, aims to reduce deadly road accidents by 20%-40% that are caused by tiredness. Airline pilots can also use it to reduce the 30% of all pilot-error accidents that are related to fatigue.
Driver Alert is based on a computerized wristband. The device, worn by drivers or pilots, gives out a sound about every four minutes during a car journey. After each sound the driver must respond by squeezing the steering wheel (方向盘). A sensor in the wristband detects this pressing action and measures the time between the sound, and the driver’s response.
Tiredness is directly related to a driver’s response time. Usually, a watchful driver would take about 400 milliseconds to respond but once that falls to more than 500 milliseconds, it suggests that the driver is getting sleepy.
In such cases the device gives out more regular and louder sounds, showing that the driver should open a window or stop for a rest. If the driver’s response continues to slow down, the sounds become more frequent until a nonstop alarm warns that the driver must stop as soon as possible.
The device has been delivered to the department’s 1aboatories for testing. If these tests, scheduled for six months’ time, are successful, the makers will bring the product to market within about a year.
1. According to the text, Driver Alert ________.A.aims to reduce tiredness-related accidents |
B.has gone through testing at laboratories |
C.aims to prevent drivers from sleeping |
D.has been on sale for 12 months |
A.By sounding a warning. |
B.By touching the wristband. |
C.By checking the driving time. |
D.By pressing the steering wheel. |
A.about 400 milliseconds |
B.below 500 milliseconds |
C.over 500 milliseconds |
D.about 4 minutes |
A.moves more regularly |
B.stops working properly |
C.opens the window for the driver |
D.sounds more frequently and loudly |
A SUCCESSFUL FAILURE
Perce Blackborow joined an expedition with Sir Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica on the ship Endurance in 1914.Shackleton was one of the most famous explorers of his day and it was considered a great honour to be part of his expeditions. Below are some of Blackborow’s diary entries.
31 Oct 1914
...Well, it so happened that one morning I bought a newspaper and read the advertisement about the Antarctic expedition.
An expedition to the South Pole with the great Sir Ernest Shackleton — this is the adventure that I have been dreaming of. And I was ready for it. At the age of 19, I am fit and full of vigour. However, when I applied to join the expedition, Shackleton turned me down because he thought I was too young and wasn’t qualified. But I was so enthusiastic about the idea of going along with them that I secretly went aboard his ship, the Endurance, and hid in a small cupboar. Unfortunately, three days after we set off I was discovered. Shackleton did not want to turn back so he offered me a job, but only after he promised me, “If anyone has to be eaten, then you will be the first!” He assigned me to be a steward, and I now serve meals for twentyeight men, three times a day.
How everyone will envy me when I come back and tell them about the amazing places I have been to!
21 Nov, 1915
The journey has not been easy. Endurance became stuck in the ice as we approached Antarctica. The ice froze around us and we were well and truly stuck! We saw the ship get crushed by the ice. And when the ship sank, our hearts sank with it.
Before we abandoned the ship, Shackleton calmly called us together and told us to rescue our most essential supplies — the small boats, our food, the cook stove, candles, clothes, and blankets.This was no time to panic. We were not allowed to take most of our personal belongings, and Shackleton himself threw away all his gold. But to our surprise, he allowed Hussey to keep his banjo. Hussey often plays it to keep our spirits up.
We are now camped on the ice and we have been managing to survive, but spring is coming, and the ice will soon begin to melt.
20 May 1916
We have been struggling for days, but things on Elephant Island are going from bad to worse. We are now crowded together under one of our boats on the rocky shore of this miserable place. Soon after we arrived, Shackleton left us to find help on South Georgia Island, 1,320 kilometres away — the voyage was too dangerous and difficult for all of us to make it in our small boats. If Shackleton fails, will we have any hope of rescue? No. No navy in the world ever stops at Elephant Island, and no one else knows that we are here.
I feel low. It’s cold and windy. The island has no plants. Sometimes we are able to catch a seal or a penguin to eat. Otherwise, there is no food. I try to think of happier things: decent food, warm and dry clothes, a cosy bedroom, sunny days, and my mother’s face ...However, these happy memories are soon interrupted by a sudden cold rush of air.
I shouted, “Shut the door!”
“Hold on now, Perce. Don’t you go turning into another Tom,” came the reply. “We’ve caught another penguin, so it’s penguin soup tonight!”
Bless Frank Wild, the kindest man there is after our leader, Ernest Shackleton. How could I become as selfish and badtempered as Thomas OrdeLees!
Without Frank and Ernest, we’d all be dead by now. Their genuine concern for others, their perseverance, and their resolve fill me with hope.
Perhaps there is a chance we will return home, after all.
1. What’s the main idea of the text?A.Perce Blackborow admired Shackleton very much. |
B.Shackleton took Perce Blackborow to the ship. |
C.Perce Blackborow’s diary entries about the great expedition. |
D.Perce Blackborow missed his mother very much. |
A.How Shackleton and his crew members abandoned the ship Endurance. B.The crew members’ life on Elephant Island. C.How the author joined the Endurance expedition. |
②Diary 2
③Diary 3
3. Why did Shackleton turn me down?
A.Because he thought I was too young and wasn’t well. |
B.Because he thought I was too weak and wasn’t qualified. |
C.Because he thought I was too young and wasn’t qualified. |
D.Because he thought I was healthy enough but wasn’t qualified. |
A.It was blown down by wind. |
B.It was stuck in the ice. |
C.It was knocked over by huge waves. |
D.It hit the huge mountain of ice. |
A.The courage and bravery of his own. |
B.His being young and fit. |
C.Ernest Shackleton’s experience of sailing. |
D.Resolve of Frank Wild and Ernest Shackleton. |
A.Because it was very valuable. |
B.Because it took little space. |
C.Because it would never sink. |
D.Because it could cheer them up. |
A.Selfish and badtempered. |
B.Caring and strongwilled. |
C.Creative and responsible. |
D.Adventurous and adaptable. |
A SUCCESSFUL FAILURE | Diary 1:The dream of going to Antarctica came true. | I happen to see an Though turned down, I Discovering I |
Diary 2: The ship became stuck in the ice | The ship got crushed by the ice and began to After rescuing necessary supplies, we Shackleton allowed Hussey to keep his banjo he played to keep our | |
Diary 2: Struggle for survival | Things on Elephant Island were going from bad to Shackleton Frank and Ernest’s |
9. Analyse and translate the sentences.
(1)Shackleton was one of the most famous explorers of his day and it was considered a great honour to be part of his expeditions.
(2)However,when I applied to join the expedition,Shackleton turned me down because he thought I was too young and wasn’t qualified.
(3)How everyone will envy me when I come back and tell them about the amazing places I have been to!
(4)Soon after we arrived,Shackleton left us to find help on South Georgia Island,1,320 kilometres away—the voyage was too dangerous and difficult for all of us to make it in our small boats.
At age12, Jane was diagnosed with a rare and deadly cancer, and was informed that high-risk surgery was her only chance of getting better. Jane received the surgery, and things got extremely hard during the two-year treatment that followed – she couldn’t even remember how many times she was rushed to the ICU. However, she never gave up hope and, thankfully, she survived. Shortly after recovery, she decided to help find out the cause of this disease. In doing so, she took an internship at a medical lab, despite being quite busy with her schoolwork, and invited people to donate tissue samples for research purposed everywhere she went. She is determined to live a fulfilling life regardless of what the future holds, and to try her best to help patients with this cancer recover in spite of the various difficulties she might face.
1.2.
3. Jane is determined to live a fulfilling life
4.
【推荐3】For Canaan Elementary’s second grade in Patchogue, N.Y., today is speech day, and right now it’s Chris Palaez’s turn. The 8-year-old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking.
But he’s nervous. “I’m here to tell you today why you should … should…” Chris trips on the “-ld,” a pronunciation difficulty for many non-native English speakers. His teacher, Thomas Whaley, is next to him, whispering support. “…Vote for …me …” Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion, Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him.
A son of immigrants, Chris stared learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls (回想起) how at the beginning of the year, when called upon to read, Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom.
Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. “It takes a lot for any student,” Whaley explains, “especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say, ‘I don’t know, but I want to know.’”
Whaley got the idea of this second-grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast (夸耀) about themselves.
“Boasting about yourself, and your best qualities,” Whaley says, “is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident.”
What does the underlined word “stumbles” in paragraph 2 refer to?A.Improper pauses. |
B.Bad manners. |
C.Spelling mistakes. |
D.Silly jokes. |
【推荐1】Dr Zhang admits that film therapy does not work for everyone, but says he has used it successfully with about a third of his clients. “Through the films’ characters, plots and even music, it allows people to face their problems.” He said that Falling Down, in which Michael Douglas plays the part of an unemployed man who is so depressed that he uses violence, was an example of the dangerous results of not letting anger go. “I used this film with a patient who was very upset because he was holding back a lot of the anger he felt towards people who had hurt him,” said Dr Zhang. “We talked about Michael Douglas’s character and the disastrous path he takes, and my patient then realized that he needed to let go of his feelings more regularly so as not to burst out like a time bomb.”
What can we learn about Dr. Zhang?
A.He used to be an actor. |
B.He likes to review different films. |
C.He favors the film therapy. |
D.He is good at sharing his feelings. |
【推荐2】Grading Policies for Introduction to Literature
Grading Scale
90-100, A; 80-89, B; 70-79, C; 60-69, D; Below 60, E.
Essays (60%)
Your four major essays will combine to form the main part of the grade for this course: Essay 1 = 10%; Essay 2 = 15%; Essay 3 = 15%; Essay 4 = 20%.
Group Assignments (30%)
Students will work in groups to complete four assignments (作业) during the course. All the assignments will be submitted by the assigned date through Blackboard, our online learning and course management system.
Daily Work/In-Class Writings and Tests/Group Work/Homework (10%)
Class activities will vary from day to day, but students must be ready to complete short in-class writings or tests drawn directly from assigned readings or notes from the previous class’ lecture/discussion, so it is important to take careful notes during class. Additionally, from time to time I will assign group work to be completed in class or short assignments to be completed at home, both of which will be graded.
Late Work
An essay not submitted in class on the due date will lose a letter grade for each class period it is late. If it is not turned in by the 4th day after the due date, it will earn a zero. Daily assignments not completed during class will get a zero. Short writings missed as a result of an excused absence will be accepted.
What will happen if you submit an essay one week after the due date?
A.You will receive a zero. |
B.You will lose a letter grade. |
C.You will be given a test. |
D.You will have to rewrite it. |
【推荐3】“We did a test run one day in August, and decided to give it a go. To be honest, I thought he’d blink (眨眼)after it got really cold or rainy, but he never did,” Jonathan said. He recalled one day when the weather was particularly bad. “It’s really raining out there today,” he told Simon. “And Simon said, ‘Well then we’re going to get wet!’ He took pride in toughing it out, and it became a really fun family routine.”
What can be inferred from paragraph 4?
A.Simon has trouble with his eyesight. |
B.Simon is really stubborn and inflexible. |
C.Simon is much tougher than expected. |
D.Simon didn’t get support from his father. |