Hearing aids usually bring to mind images of ugly, ineffective devices mainly worn by the elderly. But this ill repute (恶名) is quickly changing, as they've recently taken a turn thanks to two innovators, Dr. Marco Vietor and Paul Crusius, who now lead the fastest-growing hearing aid company in the world-hear. com.
Hear. com's years of research led to the development of two game-changing hearing aids-the Silk and Styletto. These impressive devices pack cutting-edge (尖端的) technology in designs that are practically invisible. They also use a unique way that has been clinically (临床地) proven to deliver better-than-normal hearing so you can clearly understand speech in any environment. With additional features like Bluetooth and rechargeability, today's hearing aids are attracting even younger customers skilled in tech.
But hear. com knows it's not just about tech and design. They’ve put an enormous effort into the entire experience to make hearing care more accessible and more affordable. "Everyone should be able to hear well to live well,” Crusius says. "And it's very individual. Each person's hearing loss is different and requires a personalized approach to find the best solution."
"We hear with our brains, not our ears. And it takes at least 30 days for our brain to adjust and relearn how to hear again with new hearing aids," Dr. Vietor says. "To guarantee your best outcome with hearing aids, we developed the industry's first 30-day program, Hearing Success Program, so customers have that extra level of care and knowledge to succeed."
And it's working. Hear. com has now helped more than 100,000 customers improve their hearing. Their A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and 5-star rating on the customer review platform, Trustpilot, speaks for itself.
Hear. com's "customer first" approach also helps drive the company's success, encouraging employees to act like owners and put customers first. "We're investing heavily in shaping our company culture," Crusius says. "Individuals who work at hear. com say they are here to do more than a job. They're helping change lives all around the world."
1. How are the two brands of hearing aids-the Silk and Styletto?| A．They are the most advanced. | B．They are the most traditional. |
| C．They are the most complicated. | D．They are the cheapest yet the most valuable. |
| A．They can use small batteries to supply power. | B．They can connect with Bluetooth. |
| C．They can provide louder sound. | D．They are easy to carry. |
| A．The structure of their products. | B．The materials of their products. |
| C．The humanization of their products. | D．The sales of their products. |
| A．Efficiency first. | B．Sincerity and fairness. |
| C．Rapid delivery. | D．Clients uppermost. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Most children now chat daily either online or through their mobile phones. They are connecting to a huge number of other children all over the world. Some are shy “in real life” but are confident to communicate with others online; others find support from people of their own age on relationship issues, or problems at home.
Sometimes the online world, just like the real world, can introduce problems, such as arguments. Going online is great fun, but there are also a few people who use the Internet for offensive (冒犯性的) or illegal aims. Children must be made aware of both the good things and the dangers.
To keep children safe, your management must cover the family computer. Just as you decide which TV pro-grams are suitable, you need to do the same for the websites and chat rooms your children visit. Remind your children that online friends are still strangers. Reminding them of the risks will keep them alert (警惕).
Computer studies are part of schoolwork now, so it’s likely that your children may know more than you do. We get left behind when it comes to the latest gad-gets and the interactive areas of websites, like chat rooms and message boards, which are especially strange. The language of chat is strange to many parents, too. Chatters love to use abbreviations (缩写) such as: atb — all the best, bbfn — bye bye for now, Idk — I don’t know, imbl — it must be love, kit — keep in touch, paw — parents are watching, lol — laugh out loud, xlnt — excellent!
1. The passage is meant for ________.| A．children | B．parents | C．teachers | D．net bar owners |
| A．The Internet is no good for children. |
| B．The chat language is strange to parents. |
| C．Children shouldn’t chat so much online. |
| D．The Internet is a good place for children. |
| A．choose suitable websites and chat rooms for them |
| B．teach them to use correct net words |
| C．surf the Internet together with them |
| D．forbid them to use the Internet |
【推荐2】To what degree can a computer achieve intelligence? The answer to this question may lie in a newly-developed US computer program called Smarter Child and the Internet.
If you ran into Smarter Child online, you would be surprised at this kid’s huge memory. It can recite many facts. For example, Smarter Child knows every baseball player in every team this season.
He knows every word in the dictionary and the weather in every major city areas across the US. However, if you ask Smarter Child other questions, you get strange answers. A question about Smarter Child’s age returns. “One year, 11 days, 16 hours, 7 minutes, and 47 seconds!” Asking where he lives gets, “In a clean room in a high-tech building in California.”
Smarter Child uses the vast information on the World Wide Web as his memory bank. To answer questions about spelling, for instance, Smarter Child goes to American Heritage Dictionary online. For the weather, he visits www.intellicast.com.
Some scientists believe that by joining the many systems of the Internet, an artificial being with the combined knowledge of, say, Albert Einstein, Richard Nixon and Britney Spears could be born. However, if Smarter Child wants to think and learn on his own like the boy-computer David in the movie A. I. Artificial Intelligence, he must overcome two problems.
The first is that computers find it difficult to read web pages because the files are labeled in different ways. That’s why programmers need to tell Smarter Child where to look for the weather. It would be a much more difficult task to let him find himself.
Another problem is that while Smarter Child can process information more exactly and faster than any human, he lacks common sense—a basic grounding of knowledge that is obvious to any young child.
1. From the text we can infer that www.intellicast.com is a website .| A．where we people can find Smarter Child | B．which is specially designed to help Smarter Child |
| C．where weather forecasts are made | D．which is about artificial intelligence |
| A．learn the ability to tell right behaviors from wrong ones. |
| B．tell us how to spell a difficult word |
| C．provide us with a famous poem by Shakespeare |
| D．tell us how the American government is run |
| A．where to look for the weather | B．Smarter Child. |
| C．a much more difficult task | D．to read web pages |
| A．A New Web Child | B．Intelligence Development |
| C．Smarter Child | D．The Future of Internet |
【推荐3】The mobile phone has become a problem for high schools. Some high-school students in Australia are not allowed to carry mobile phones during school hours.
The mobile phone used among children has become a problem for the school years. Several children have got mobile phones as Christmas presents, and more students want them. Marry Brown, a headmaster, said that the mobile phone was a distraction (分心事) to students during school hours and it also gave teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers also say that sometimes students might use phone messages to cheat during exams.
She said some schools had tried to ban (禁止) mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't get in touch with their children.
Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school, if there was a good reason, they could leave their phones at school office. They also said phones were easily lost and were a distraction for studies.
Many people say that they understand why parents would want their children to have phones, but they think schools should let students know when they can use their mobile phones.
1. Some high schools in Australia have stopped students from carrying mobile phones ______| A．because they are students | B．when they are free |
| C．when they are at school | D．because they are children |
| A．a bad thing | B．a useful tool | C．a good thing | D．of some help |
| A．分散注意力 | B．吸引 | C．让人高兴 | D．作弊,欺骗 |
| A．students shouldn't have mobile phones at school except for some special reasons |
| B．it is important to ban students from using mobile phones at school |
| C．some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't use their phones at home |
| D．parents should teach their children how to use mobile phones during school hours |
【推荐1】During the outbreak of novel coronavirus, wearing masks is widely believed to be a simple but effective method to protect oneself from a variety of harmful things. In fact, masks have been helping mankind for centuries. Let’s take a look at some mask-related history.
1st century
In that era, many people in Roman Empire worked underground in mines to support their families. But most of them suffered from and even eventually died of respiratory (呼吸的) illnesses. To handle this problem, Pliny the Elder (23 — 79 AD), a Roman philosopher and naturalist, recommended the use of animal bladder (膀胱) skins to stop dust from being inhaled (吸入). Although primitive, his idea was considered the very first recorded mask invention.
16th century
Early inventions did not stop with Pliny. Many centuries later, Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci (1452 — 1519), suggested using a woven cloth dipped in water over the face to protect against the toxic (有毒的) chemicals.
19th century
The design of the mask took a big step forward in the 19th century. In 1848, American Lewis Hassley became the first person to patent (注册专利) a protective mask for miners, which was a milestone in face mask history. Masks at this stage were similar to gas masks. Later, in 1897, Polish-Austrian doctor Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki designed a simple mask made up of one layer of gauze (纱布), recommending medical workers to wear it to prevent infection. That was the first recorded use of a surgical mask.
20th century
In 1910, an epidemic broke out in Northeast China. Chinese doctor Wu Liande designed a cheap face mask called “Wu’s mask”. Made of two layers of surgical gauze, it could be wrapped around the back of the head and tied in a knot. This mask was praised by many experts around the world, as it was simple to make and had a low production cost.
Modern exploration
With several outbreaks of infectious diseases and the flu, and the rise of pollution caused by industrial waste, the materials in masks have continued to evolve to better protect its wearer. For example, in 2012 when China suffered from smog, mask models such as N95 and KN90, which can filter out (过滤掉) this fine particulate (微粒) matter, became highly popular.
1. According to the text, why were masks invented?| A．To reduce the risk of infection. |
| B．To protect miners from dust. |
| C．To indicate patients with respiratory illnesses. |
| D．To protect workers from harmful chemicals. |
| A．Using a woven cloth instead of animal skins. |
| B．Getting a patent on protective masks for miners. |
| C．The invention of surgical masks in 1897. |
| D．Using more than one layer of surgical gauze. |
| A．it could be used multiple times |
| B．it was simple for people to wear |
| C．it was cheap and easy to produce |
| D．it could better protect people from smog |
| A．The development of masks. |
| B．The benefits of using masks. |
| C．A comparison of different masks. |
| D．The roles masks played in ancient times. |
【推荐2】“Giraffenap” has been created by a Japanese company and is intended to allow the user to take a rest while standing when you feel tired or sleepy with the aim of improving performance at work.
Rather than relying on coffee and endless yawns to try and make it through the workday, Koyoju Plywood Corporation declared about the “Giraffenap” that the nap box will allow you to “be refreshed” in just 20 minutes.
Giving in to your sleepiness and taking a 20-minute nap will apparently help improve your performance by recovering from tiredness, reducing stress, restoring memory and concentration, and improving creativity. A study by NASA has found that pilots who took a 26-minute nap experienced a 34 percent improvement in performance, and a 16 percent improvement in reaction time. “As a new way to take a break, we will provide a space where you can take a nap while standing in the office,” the site explains.
But why does it have to be standing? Well, the site explains that the research by Hokkaido University showed that sleeping while standing allows you to reach a sleep state in which you breathe lightly, so when you wake up you can feel the effect of a nap without having to sleep too much, and you can quickly return to work without feeling dizzy. Plus, making the box vertical (垂直的) rather than horizontal means that it takes up half as much floor space and makes it less likely that your boss will say there just isn’t room. The box also comes equipped with a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, and LED lighting for safety, and it blocks out sound from the outside to ensure a calm, sleep-worthy environment.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—wouldn’t you just fall down if you tried to sleep while standing? Well, not with Giraffenap’s design. The box is equipped with four points to support the body at the head, butt, legs and feet, meaning you can relax in the box while still remaining upright.
1. Where is the “Giraffenap” designed to be used?| A．At home. | B．In the field. |
| C．In the workplace. | D．In the classroom. |
| A．The benefits from taking a nap. | B．The new finding by NASA. |
| C．The ways of improving productivity. | D．The pilots’ experience with the “Giraffenap”. |
| A．It will ensure the sleepers’ safety. | B．The sleepers can breathe slowly. |
| C．It will occupy much less floor space. | D．The sleepers can enter a deeper sleep state. |
| A．They have limited mobility. | B．They will be disturbed by noise. |
| C．They come out feeling pretty dizzy. | D．They’re likely to suffer injuries. |
【推荐3】A company Watergen has created a machine that can produce clean and drinkable water out of air. The device, called GENNY, is small enough to be used in a home or office but can produce up to 30 liters of water a day.
GENNY takes air in and passes through a filter (过滤器) to remove dust and dirt. The filter is powerful enough to work with high air pollution. The air is directed through GENIUS, a heating and cooling process which causes water in the air to condense(凝结). This water is then passed through several more filters and minerals are added to improve the flavor of the water. Finally, the water is stored in a tank to keep it fresh. Therefore, the water produced by GENNY is often of a higher quality than water running through filtration systems attached to the city’s water lines.
The technology of GENIUS is much better than other technologies that produce water from air. It produces four to five times more water per kilowatt-hour. Watergen has other products that use this same technology on a larger scale, the largest of which can produce up to 5,000 liters of water per day.
As an added bonus, during the water production process, GENNY can send out clean air which is healthier for people to breathe.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, GENNY was named the Energy Efficient Product of the Year. The award series recognize the world’s top high-tech home products.
Last year, Watergen’s large-scale products were donated to authorities in Brazil, Vietnam and India for people to use. They also assisted rescue and recovery efforts during the 2018 California wildfires and provided clean and safe water for the residents of Texas and Florida due to the result of the destruction caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
1. What do we know about GENNY?| A．The water is stored in GENIUS. |
| B．GENNY can be used to clean rivers. |
| C．GENIUS is a heating and cooling process. |
| D．The water produced by GENNY is more nutritious. |
| A．It can absorb dirty air. | B．It can give off clean air. |
| C．It can blow off polluted air. | D．It can identify the quality of air. |
| A．It can make water taste much better. |
| B．It can keep water fresh for a longer time. |
| C．It can kill harmful bacteria more efficiently. |
| D．It can produce much more water per kilowatt-hour. |
| A．The practical use of Watergen’s products. |
| B．The characteristics of Watergen’s products. |
| C．The disadvantages of Watergen’s products. |
| D．The market response to Watergen’s products. |
【推荐1】It has been found in South Australia that a worm-like creature about the size of a grain of rice is the oldest ancestor on the family tree that includes humans and most animals. The creature lived about 535 million years ago. It is considered to be an evolutionary step forward for early life on Earth.
Researchers have been working hard to find evidence of the common ancestor of most animals. Developing its body structure and organization successfully allowed life to move in specific, purposeful directions. This includes everything from worms and dinosaurs to amphibians(两栖动物) and humans. But for our common ancestor, they knew that fossils(化石) of the tiny, simple creatures they imagined would be nearly impossible to find because of its size and soft body. Then, they turned to fossilized burrows(动物洞穴), dated to the Ediacaran Period, found in South Australia.
For 15 years, scientists knew the burrows were created by the creature. There was no evidence of what made the burrows and lived in them until researchers decided to take a closer look at the burrows. Geology professor Mary Droser spotted impressions shaped like ovals(椭圆形) near the burrows.
A 3-D laser scan revealed the impressions containing evidence of a body shaped and sized like a rice grain, with a noticeable head and tail which suggested it had muscles. The muscles would have enabled the creature to move and create the burrows, like the way a worm moves. And the size of the creature matched with the size of the burrows they found.
1. What does the underlined word “It” mean in the first paragraph?| A．A family tree. | B．A grain of rice. | C．A worm-like creature. | D．An evolutionary step. |
| A．They developed the creature in the expected way. |
| B．They studied a large number of worms and dinosaurs. |
| C．They observed the burrows close up. |
| D．They went back to the Ediacaran Period some years ago. |
| A．3-D laser scan. | B．The impressions. | C．Some good ovals. | D．More burrows. |
| A．The researchers worked very hard in the burrow. |
| B．The worm-like creature may be animals’ ancestor. |
| C．It is very difficult to name a new kind of creature. |
| D．Australian people like fossils of many creatures. |
【推荐2】This Is What Your Dog’s Behaviors Should Tell You
A straightened tail
When you see a dog’s tail in the air, that dog probably feels very excited or confident about something. If its tail is shaky and remains up, the dog probably just feels challenged in a way. Whenever a dog is content, its tail is always leveled with its body. However, if the tail is hanging low, this shows some kind of insecurity.
Chewing your furniture
When puppies start teething, they start chewing things around. It just means that they have not been getting as much physical activity as their body needs. You can easily help by taking them out for a nice walk or helping them exercise in some other ways.
Tilting (倾斜) their heads
When you are talking to dogs, you subconsciously end up speaking in a higher pitch. The dogs tip their heads in an attempt to understand what you are telling. Dogs have a great way of reading different body language and responding to vocal cues. They recognize specific words especially those associated with treats they love or walks. A certain theory states that dogs will move their heads in that manner as a way of adjusting their ears so that they can listen better.
Raising their ears
When you see a dog raise its ears, just know it’s listening keenly to you. It happens when they are unfamiliar with a certain sound and are trying to figure the sound out. So when you see this, just allow your dog to figure out things slowly for a second. After all, it’s very nice to have a dog that is observant.
1. If a dog keeps its tail hanging low, it suggests it feels _______.| A．satisfied | B．thrilled | C．unsafe | D．challenged |
| A．Tie the dog. | B．Walk the dog. |
| C．Feed the dog. | D．Bathe the dog. |
| A．Waving its tail. | B．Moving its head. |
| C．Raising its ears. | D．Showing its teeth. |
【推荐3】Britain is a nation of drama lovers and in the land that brought you Shakespeare, you’ll never be far from some of the best and most varied theatres in the world.
You could start with the shows and musicals in London’s historic“Theatreland”where 40 theatres draw your attention. Or, if Shakespeare’s more your thing, head straight to the glorious (辉煌的) recreation of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan Globe Theatre on the south bank of the River Thames. His birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon, home to the internationally famous Royal Shakespeare Company, is also a must-see.
London is also home to the Royal Opera House where world-class opera takes place in a beautiful setting and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the centre of dance in the UK where you can catch everything from flamenco to hip hop.
Elsewhere, the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, housed in a spectacular former Cotton Exchange building, is known for first-rate classic and modern productions, while Birmingham’s REP theatre is fully deserving of its reputation as a centre for excellent drama.
Scotland’s capital is best known for the arts jamboree (狂欢活动) that is the annual Edinburgh Festivals. But visit Edinburgh at any time of the year and you’ll find a world-class theatre. The Edinburgh Festival Theatre has the biggest stage of any theatre in Britain and is the place for Edinburgh’s most well-regarded shows.
Glasgow is home to Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland. Head to the Citizen’s Theatre to witness groundbreaking contemporary drama.
If you’re in Cardiff, a visit to the Wales Millennium Centre is a must. It hosts everything from touring West End musicals to ballet and modern dance in a high-tech building that’s worth a look in itself. If you don’t have time for a show, have a drink in the bar. Free concerts are held daily in the front hall.
1. What is the main purpose of the passage?| A．To introduce some theatres in Britain |
| B．To provide free concerts for drama lovers. |
| C．To advertise for Royal Shakespeare Company. |
| D．To introduce tourist activities in Britain. |
| A．Sadler’s Wells Theatre | B．Royal Exchange Theatre |
| C．National Theatre of Scotland. | D．Citizen’s Theatre. |
| A．London | B．Manchester |
| C．Edinburgh | D．Glasgow |
| A．Shakespeare’s birthplace. | B．The Cotton Exchange building. |
| C．A world-class theatre. | D．A high-tech building. |
