About twenty of us had been fortunate enough to receive invitations to a film-studio（影棚）to take part in crowd-scene. Although our "act" would last only for a short time, we could see quite a number of interesting things.
We all stood at the far end of the studio as workmen prepared the scene, setting up trees at the edge of a winding path. Very soon, bright lights were turned on and the big movie-camera was wheeled into position. The director shouted something to the camera operator and then went to speak to the two famous actors nearby. Since it was hot in the studio, it came as a surprise to us to see one of the actors put on a heavy overcoat and start walking along the path. A big fan began blowing tiny white feathers down on him, and soon the trees were covered in "snow". Two more fans were turned on, and a "strong wind" blew through the trees. The picture looked so real that it made us feel cold.
The next scene was a complete contrast. The way it was filmed was quite unusual. Pictures taken on an island in the Pacific were shown on a glass screen. An actor and actress stood in front of the scene so that they looked as if they were at the water’s edge on an island. By a simple trick like this, palm trees, sandy beaches, and blue, clear skies had been brought into the studio!
Since it was our turn next, we were left wondering what scene would be prepared for us. For a full three minutes in our lives we would be experiencing the excitement of being film ”Stars”!
1. Who is the author?| A．A cameraman. | B．A film actor. |
| C．A crowd-scene actor. | D．A workman for scene setting. |
| A．The heavy snowfall. | B．The man-made scene. |
| C．The low temperature. | D．The film being shown. |
| A．The next scene didn’t look real at all. |
| B．The next scene was like a hot summer day. |
| C．The actor and the actress for the next scene were not famous. |
| D．The way the next scene was filmed was unusual. |
| A．A new scene would be filmed. | B．More stars would act in the film. |
| C．The author would leave the studio. | D．The next scene would be prepared. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Features Editor
We are looking for a talented features editor to join our team. We are especially keen to hear from those with a specialism in technology and consumer health.
This role is based in London, but could potentially be worked remotely from the US.
Main Responsibilities:
●Develop ideas for commission and edit at least 23 timely and compelling features each year
●Build contacts with writers and scientists to make sure we’re commissioning the best, most attractive and up-to-date biological-medical science and technology stories
●Monitor traffic statistics and subscriptions data
●Work closely with the art and design team to make our features attractive and work with the digital team to come up with the best way to sell our stories on digital platforms
Person Specification:
●Significant editing experience at a popular science publication or similar
●Excellent writing and editing skills
●Excellent knowledge of the cutting edge, and a demonstrable experience of science journalism
●Great relationships with scientists and writers
●A degree in a science or technology, ideally, and a passionate interest in both science and technology
●A good ability to work together with others
Package Description:
In return for employees’ energy and ideas, we ensure our people are well rewarded. The longer are with us, the more benefits you will get. Here’s what to expect:
●29 days’ holiday
●Upon joining, you’ll be naturally enrolled onto the Pension (养老金) Plan
●Our Employee Assistance Program
●Discounted dining cards
●Flexible working policy
●Free gym membership at Northcliffe House Gym
1. What should the features editor do?| A．Manage the design team. | B．Offer marketing strategies. |
| C．Update subscriptions data. | D．Interview experts regularly. |
| A．Strong leadership. | B．A degree in editing. |
| C．Great editing ability. | D．Good time management skills. |
| A．Free meals. | B．Flexible holidays. |
| C．A secure retirement. | D．Better medical services. |
【推荐2】Many people think that the world is about to step into the fourth industrial revolution. This time, machines can do a lot of work in the charge of human beings, even better than human beings. In the future, the world can be more efficient and enjoy cheaper services, but unemployment will become more common.
It raises a troubling question for all of us — when will a machine be able to do my job? Katja Grace, a research associate at the University of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute, and her colleagues from the AI Impacts project and the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, have surveyed 352 scientists and compiled (汇编) their answers into predictions about how long it may take for machines to outperform humans on various tasks.
The good news is that many of us will probably be safe in our jobs for some time to come. The researchers predict there is a 50% chance that machines will be capable of taking over all human jobs in 120 years.
“One of the biggest surprises was the overall lateness of the predictions,” says Grace. “I expected the amazing progress in machine learning in recent years, plus the fact that we were only talking to machine learning researchers, to make the estimates earlier.”
“I am a bit sceptical of some of the timelines given for tasks that involve physical manipulation (操纵),” says Jeremy Wyatt, professor of robotics and artificial intelligence at the University of Birmingham. “It is one thing doing it in the lab, and quite another having a robot that can do a job reliably in the real world better than a human.”
Manipulating physical objects in the real world — figuring out what to manipulate, and how, in a random, changing environment — is an incredibly complex job for a machine. Tasks that don’t involve physical manipulation are easier to teach.
Perhaps the hardest jobs for machines to perform are those that take years of training for humans to excel at. These often involve intuitive (直觉的) decision making, complex physical environments or abstract thinking — all things that computers struggle with.
1. Why did the researchers conduct the survey on the future role of machines?| A．To make it clear how machines can replace humans. |
| B．To find why machines can take the place of humans. |
| C．To explain humans will be substituted by machines. |
| D．To learn when machines may be superior to humans on jobs. |
| A．She thought the time would be totally uncertain despite the survey. |
| B．She thought the time would be later than predicted. |
| C．She thought the time would be earlier than predicted. |
| D．She thought machines would take over all the jobs in 120 years. |
| A．A robot can do a job reliably in the real world better than a human. |
| B．Tasks that don’t involve physical manipulation are quite complicated. |
| C．It is difficult for robots to finish the jobs related to physical manipulation. |
| D．He is sure of the timelines given for tasks that involve physical manipulation. |
【推荐3】Rick Guidotti put aside his career as a fashioned Photographer to turn his lens (镜头) to people living with genetic, physical and behavioral differences.
He says what changed his perception of beauty was a chance encounter with an albino (白化病) girl .“1 was just tired of people telling me who was beautiful. Every season that face would change but1 was always told who was beautiful. As an artist, I don't see beauty just on covers of magazines. I see it everywhere. So that kind of was my initial kind of - that opened my eyes a little wider in the wider.”
Guidotti has created Positive Exposure, a not-for-profit organization that uses photography and video to transform public perceptions and promote a world where differences are celebrated. Guidotti and Positive Exposure are featured in a new documentary called On Beauty.
One of the women featured in the film is Jayne Waithera.“I never thought I was beautiful because nobody said that to me, but my meeting was my profound moment. I remember that particular day. He took my picture and I felt so good like I felt there s somebody who, really like, loves me and sees me for who I am and who sees me more than my condition.”
Rick is traveling from city to city to promote On Beauty. He says his tour is not about money, it's about the message:“As I travel from community to community, I'm taking photographs and I'm empowering individuals with a positive sense of who they are. They're seeing beauty in their reflection but I'm also empowering their families and they in turn are empowering their communities as well. All is based on the philosophy of change - how you see, see how you change.”
1. Why did Rick change his career?| A．Because he couldn't earn enough money from his former career. |
| B．Because the beauty on covers of magazines are not beautiful. |
| C．Because he wanted to create his own company. |
| D．Because his comprehension of beauty changed owing to an albino girl. |
| A．It brings a lot of money for Rick. |
| B．It makes the public more beautiful. |
| C．It welcomes differences in the world. |
| D．It makes photography more popular. |
| A．Jayne was beautiful indeed. |
| B．Photographs gave Jayne a positive sense of who she was. |
| C．It was unfair nobody discovered Jayne's beauty. |
| D．Jayne's picture was more beautiful than herself. |
| A．We should travel frequently. |
| B．Community has a great influence on everyone. |
| C．We should make contributions to our community. |
| D．Your attitude to seeing the world decides your behavior. |
【推荐1】Pacific Science Center Guide
◆Visit Pacific Science Center’s Store
Don’t forget to stop by Pacific Science Center’s Store while you are here to pick up a wonderful science activity or remember your visit. The store is located (位于) upstairs in Building 3 right next to the Laster Dome.
◆Hungry
Our exhibits will feed your mind but what about your body? Our café offers a complete menu of lunch and snack options, in addition to seasonal specials. The café is located upstairs in Building 1 and is open daily until one hour before Pacific Science Center closes.
◆Rental Information
Lockers are available to store any belongings during your visit. The lockers are located in Building 1 near the Information Desk and in Building 3. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Information Desk and Denny Way entrance. ID required.
◆Support Pacific Science Center
Since 1962 Pacific Science Center has been inspiring a passion (热情) for discovery and lifelong learning in science, math and technology. Today Pacific Science Center serves more than 1.3 million people a year and brings science to classrooms and community events all over Washington State. It’s an amazing accomplishment and one we cannot achieve without generous support from individuals, corporations, and other social organizations. Wish pacific organizer.org to find various ways you can support Pacific Science Center.
1. Where can you buy a souvenir at Pacific Science Center Store?| A．In Building 1. |
| B．In Building 3. |
| C．At the last Dome. |
| D．At the Denny Way entrance. |
| A．Train Science teachers. |
| B．Distribute science books. |
| C．Distribute scientific research. |
| D．Take science to the classroom. |
| A．The lockers are located in Building 1. |
| B．It is not required to give your ID. |
| C．It is not available to rent wheelchairs. |
| D．The lockers are far from the Information Desk. |
【推荐2】Although the United States covers so much land and the land produces far more food than the present population needs, its people are by now almost entirely an urban society. Less than a tenth of the people are engaged in agriculture and forestry(林业), and most of the rest live in or around towns, small and large. Here the traditional picture is changing: every small town may still be very like other small towns, and the typical small town may represent a widely accepted view of the country, but most Americans do not live in small towns any more. Half the population now lives in some thirty metropolitan areas(large cities with their suburbs of more than a million people each—a larger proportion than in Germany or England, let alone France). The statistics(统计)of urban and rural population should be treated with caution because so many people who live in areas classified as rural travel by car to work in a nearby town each day. As the rush to live out of town continues, rural areas within reach of towns are gradually filled with houses, so that it is hard to say at what moment a piece of country becomes a suburb. But more and more the typical American lives in a metropolitan rather than a small town environment.
1. If now America has 250 million people how many of them are engaged in agriculture and forestry?| A．About 25 million. | B．More than 25 million. |
| C．Less than 25 million. | D．Less than 225 million |
| A．United States. | B．Germany. | C．France. | D．England. |
| A．Of a large city with its suburbs. | B．Of small and large towns. |
| C．Of urban areas. | D．Of rural areas. |
| A．Most small towns become gradually crowded |
| B．Small towns are still similar to each other. |
| C．As the traditional picture is changing,towns are different. |
| D．Small towns are turning into large cities |
| A．Because they are the same. |
| B．Because the rush takes place too quickly |
| C．Because the process is gradual. |
| D．Because more and more Americans live in metropolitan areas. |
【推荐3】The ability to deal with anxiety is an important part of sports training.People who are able to overcome their anxiety perform much better than some of the strongest competitors of the game.Unfortunately，at times sportspersons fail because they feel nervous when they are on the playing field，which makes them lose confidence in themselves.As a matter of fact，performance anxiety is quite common among stage artists and athletes，who are required to present themselves and their skills to a large crowd.
Various psychologists have found that expert athletes may behave like amateurs under great pressure.So what causes performance anxiety？First of all，during training and preparing for any competition，an athlete focuses on improving his or her skills in a familiar environment.All the efforts taken and practice done are，thus，stored in the procedural memory.However，in a real competitive situation，the conscious awareness of new grounds corrupts the memory of the practiced game，thus causing anxiety.It is also found that with more cheering crowds，the pressure for the athlete to achieve the best builds up rapidly.
Secondly，our body releases certain hormones(荷尔蒙) to welcome the upcoming exciting situation，which causes quickening of the heartbeat and sweaty hands.These signs are often misinterpreted(曲解) by an athlete as fear and lack of ability to perform.The negative thoughts often result in a terrible panic attack.
Thirdly，while training，some athletes set unrealistic targets for themselves.Failure to achieve those targets is regarded as lack of skills and puts the athletes in selfdenial(自我否定) of their own improvement.Even if they are fully prepared for an event，they tend to think poorly of their capabilities.Such reaction can turn any professional player into a green hand，thus ruining their performance.
Fortunately，something can be done to solve the problem.One of the best ways to overcome such a situation is distraction(分心)．As soon as you have the awareness of anxiety，pay your attention to something else—maybe singing or asking a fellow sportsperson about something that is not related to the game.Besides，you can take some small but effective measures.For instance，cut down on caffeine and sugar and have a carbohydraterich meal before the game to preserve energy.Anyway，performance anxiety is not a disease that athletes can get rid of once and for all.They should handle it properly to improve their performance so as to achieve sporting glory.
| Performance Anxiety in Sports | |
| Concept of performance anxiety | ·Performance anxiety refers to the ·Its common |
| Causes of performance anxiety | ·Sportspersons can feel anxious when competing in a(n) ·The ·Sportspersons think too ·Sportspersons begin to doubt themselves when they |
| ·When you feel anxious，pay your attention to something · | |
【推荐1】Thurgood Marshall was born in Baltimore on July 2nd, 1908. In that city, and in many other parts of the USA. at that time, black people were separated from white people by law. When he was in primary school, one of his teachers punished him by sending him to read and remember the words of the Constitution (宪法). It's a long document but he managed to remember most of it. He began to think about the Constitution's guarantees of freedom, which should be for people of all races, not just for white people.
Marshall attended Lincoln University where he completed his studies with honors, in 1930. He wanted to go to law school at the University of Maryland, but was refused because he was black. So he went to law school of Howard University, which is a school for African Americans.
After completing his law studies, he accepted the case of a young black man who wanted to attend the University of Maryland law school and was refused too. Marshall took legal action. He won the case.
He went on to win many more cases dealing with racial separation laws. His most important case was the one of “Brown versus Board of Education” in 1954. The case involved the city of Topeka, where it was legal to have “separate but equal” schools for black students and white students. Marshall argued it was a violation (违背 ) of the Constitution to separate people because of their race. He added that the word “equal” meant getting the same thing, at the same time and in the same place. The Supreme Court agreed. The case helped destroy the terrible wall of legal racial separation throughout the United States.
In 1961, President John Kennedy named Thurgood Marshall to be a judge of a federal appeals court. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed him to the Supreme Court. He served for 24 years before he retired.
1. What does the first paragraph say about Marshall?| A．He was born in a city with friendlier laws to the black. |
| B．He went to primary school together with white children. |
| C．He used to be punished for failing to recite the Constitution. |
| D．He developed an interest in the Constitution at an early age. |
| A．It awarded honors to Marshall. | B．It was for African Americans only |
| C．It discriminated the black people. | D．It admitted qualified students only. |
| A．It was about a crime of a black man. | B．It was refused by the Supreme Court |
| C．It challenged the racial separation laws. | D．It changed the Constitution of the USA. |
| A．A case improving the education equality. | B．A man changing the racial separation laws |
| C．The development of American racial laws | D．The responsibilities of the Supreme Court. |
【推荐2】Upon entering college, Yang Yi was uncertain about a lot of things. However, the 19-year-old international economics and trade student was certain about one thing: She wanted to participate in animal welfare efforts.
“I’m always a nature and animal lover,” she said. She joined the environmental protection association at her school. Now being president of a group of 25, she leads its efforts to help stray (流浪)cats and dogs by raising money to buy them food and collecting old clothes to make them homes.
However, sometimes the association raises doubts. Some students have questioned whether helping stray animals breaks the laws of nature. “We tried to resolve the controversy,” Yang said. “For wild animals, the best way to protect them is to preserve their environment and their natural habitat, and to let them live their own way. However, for animals that depend heavily on humans, such as dogs and cats, the proper way to treat them is to respect them and take care of them.” Besides, if not accommodated properly, stray animals can bring threats to public health, as they are the main cause of rabies (狂犬病)in cities. “Now, many young people in China have agreed upon the need to strike a balance between humans and nature. The only problem is how,” said Yang. Yang and her fellow volunteers are cautious about what they do to help. For instance, sometimes people feed stray cats human food such as chocolate. But Yang and her friends point that such food can be dangerous to stray cats.
Yang also cooperates with Non-Governmental Organizations to spread animal protection knowledge. One of their recent exhibits was about animals in the entertainment industry. “We are still figuring out the best way to protect animals, but simple deeds such as saying no to animal performances can prevent wildlife from being captured and tamed. Step by step, we’ll eventually reach our goal,” she said.
1. Why did Yang Yi join the environmental protection association?| A．She majored in a relevant field. |
| B．She wanted to protect nature and animals. |
| C．She was uncertain about her life. |
| D．She intended to know about animal welfare. |
| A．They shelter them with old clothes. |
| B．They feed human food to them. |
| C．They train them for entertainment. |
| D．They donate money to the association. |
| A．all animals should live naturally |
| B．young people have known how to balance human and nature |
| C．stray animals are bound to spread rabies |
| D．chocolate is not a proper food for stray cats |
| A．Enjoyable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Hopeful. | D．Awful. |
【推荐3】The annual marathon in my town occurred as scheduled. My job was to follow behind the runners in an ambulance in case any of them needed medical attention. As the athletes began to pace themselves, the front runners started to disappear. It was then that my eyes were drawn to the woman in blue running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.
I knew we were already watching our “last runner”. Her feet were turned in, yet her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to walk, let alone run a marathon.
The driver and I watched in silence as she slowly moved forward. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’d slowly move forward a little bit more. As I watched her struggle to put one foot in front of the other, I found myself breathing for her and urging her forward. I wanted her to stop, and at the same time, I prayed that she wouldn’t.
Finally, she was the only runner left in sight. I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with respect and amazement as she pushed forward with sheer determination through the last miles. When the finish line came into sight, the cheering crowds had long gone home. Yet, standing straight and proud waited a man. He was holding one end of a ribbon tied to a post. She slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering (飘动) behind her.
I don’t know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life — a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about beating the other runners or winning a prize. It was about finishing what she had set out to do. When I think things are too difficult or I get those “I-just-can’t-do-it,” I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.
1. What does the underlined word “crippled” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Disabled. | B．Healthy. | C．Perfect. | D．Strong. |
| A．Don’t depend on others when facing hardships. |
| B．Nothing is too tough to accomplish if one is brave enough. |
| C．The disabled can also run a marathon despite their walking difficulty. |
| D．It’s not winning but finishing the thing we start that really matters. |
| A．A Humorous Stranger. | B．An Unforgettable Job. |
| C．The Last Runner. | D．The Annual Marathon. |
Time is more precious than money for an increasing number of people who are choosing to live more with less—and liking it.
Kay and Charles Giddens, two lawyers, sold their home to start a B&B hotel. Four years later, the couple dishes out banana pancake breakfast, cleans toilets and serves homemade chocolate chip cookies to guests in a B&B hotel surrounded by trees on a hill known for colorful sunsets.
“Do I miss the freeways? Do I miss the traffic? Do I miss the stress? No,” says Ms. Giddens, “This is a phenomenon that’s fairly widespread. A lot of people are reevaluating their lives and figuring out what they want to do. If their base is being damaged, what’s the payoff?”
Simple living ranges from cutting down on weeknight activities to sharing housing, living closer to work, avoiding shopping malls, borrowing books from the library instead of buying them, and taking a cut in pay to work at a more pleasurable job.
Vicki Robin, a writer, lives on a budget equal to a fifth of what she used to make. “You become conscious about where your money is going and how valuable it is,” Ms. Robin says, “You tend not to use things up. You cook at home rather than eat out…”
Janet Luhrs, a lawyer, quit her job after giving birth and leaving her daughter with a nanny for two weeks. “It was not the way I wanted to raise my kids,” she says, “Simplicity is not just about saving money; it’s about me sitting down every night with my kids to a candlelit dinner with classical music.”
Mrs. Luhrs now edits a magazine, Simple Living, which publishes tips on how to buy recycled furniture and shoes, organize potluck dinners instead of expensive receptions, and generally how to consume less.
“It’s not about poverty,” Mrs. Luhrs explains, “It’s about conscious living and creating the life you want. The less stuff you buy, the less money goes out of the door, and the less money you have to earn.”
1. Kay and Charles Giddens sold their home to ______.
| A．pay off the debt |
| B．start a private hotel |
| C．cut down expenses |
| D．buy living necessities |
| A．building a home library |
| B．living in the countryside |
| C．enjoying a colorful night life |
| D．sharing housing with others |
| A．spends more time with her kids |
| B．has an interest in classical music |
| C．works as a reporter of a magazine |
| D．helps people buy recycled clothes |
| A．By using figures. |
| B．By asking questions. |
| C．By giving examples. |
| D．By making comparisons. |
【推荐2】It cannot be denied that we all want to succeed, whether it is in losing weight or learning the guitar. For those who have tried and failed, success seems difficult to understand. Why does one person succeed where another person fails? I have made a list of four habits to help set goals and achieve them.
Identify your core values
Finding your core values is in line with creating inner motivation. Sit and reflect on what you value most. Pick a handful of things and actually write them down. Remind yourself of your values every day, and reflect on whether you are honoring those values through your work.
Pick a goal and focus on it
Choose one goal to start something large enough that will give you a sense of accomplishment, while adjusting well to your core values. Focus is key here. The more focused you are on one goal, the higher chance you have of success.
If you perform a great many tasks at a time, you might never complete your projects because they will take far too long.
Set a deadline for success
To set a date or deadline for success is meaningful and necessary. Identify when you hope to achieve your goal. Keep it realistic, while not giving you too much time. By setting a time limit, you are making the process more real and planned.
Stick to your goal.
Failure can’t be avoided to some extent when you take risks, by its very definition, the desire to succeed means you are risking failure. Many people tend to give up far too early. Don’t fall into this trap! Remember your mindset （心态） earlier. Know it will happen. A failure is merely you working out the details, and learning what works and what doesn’t. Use failure. Treat it as a good thing, and march on!
In your lifetime, you have many opportunities to succeed. While in the process you may encounter （遭遇） plenty of failures, but on condition that you stick to the four habits above, you will be absolutely successful sooner or later.
1. You would have a better chance to succeed if you _________.| A．reflect on your goal more | B．are more concentrated on a goal |
| C．are more eager to succeed | D．try your best to avoid failure |
| A．People are all eager to succeed in life. |
| B．Realizing core values can make inner motivation. |
| C．You are bound to succeed if you follow the four habits. |
| D．failure is sometimes not a bad thing. |
| A．detail. | B．Failure. |
| C．Goal. | D．Success. |
| A．Four Habits to Help You Succeed | B．Make the right decision |
| C．Failure is the mother of success | D．Find the core values of success |
【推荐3】It was time for Mr.Key to go to work.His wife gave him a letter, “please post this on your way to the bus stop,”she said.
“I won’t forget,” he replied."I know i forget things sometimes.I have kept letters in my bag for some days.But I will certainly post this one.”
Mrs.Key smiled.“ You certainly will,” she said.
Mr.Key put the letter in his pocket and said goodbye to his wife. “Goodbye,” said Mrs.Key.She was still smiling when she shut the door.
Mr.Key walked slowly along the road, and soon a girl came up behind him.When the girl walked by, she looked back and smiled at Mr.Key. “Don't forget to post the letter,"she said.Then an old man walked by.He turned and smiled.He also said the same thing to Mr.Key.
Mr.Key said to himself, “Why are these people smiling at me? And how do they know I have a letter to post?”
At last, he came to the mailbox, He put the letter in it and walked on, But once more a girl came up behind him and spoke to him."Did you post your letter? "she asked."Yes,I did, "said Mr.Key.
“Then I can take this off, "said the girl.She took a large piece of paper off Mr.Key's coat and showed it to him.
On seeing it, Mr.Key understood everything.
1. What did Mrs.Key give her husband one day?| A．a pocket. | B．A.coat. |
| C．A bag. | D．A letter |
| A．Because Mrs.Key told them. | B．Because there was a paper on his back. |
| C．Because they were Mr.Key’s friends. | D．Because Mr.Key put a paper on his front. |
| A．Five. | B．Four. |
| C．Three. | D．Two. |
| A．Mr.Key posted the letter finally. |
| B．Mrs.Key always forgot things. |
| C．Mrs.Key loved her husband very much. |
| D．the people Mr.Key met in the street were unfriendly. |
