Thumbs Down to Texting (屈指发短信)
Do you have a mobile phone? Do you send text messages to your friends and family?
Text messaging or “texting” is becoming very popular. But, scientists have discovered that texting can give us problems with our hands. Be careful! Too much texting can cause swelling in our thumbs. Our thumbs were not made for pushing small buttons, over and over . Scientists call this problem RSI. We spoke to a doctor called Harriet Wilson, who treats many sick people with RSI. She says we need to see how much time we are spending in typing text messages. If we are spending more than 10-15 minutes at once, we could have problems in the future.
As mobile phones develop, they are getting smaller with buttons closer together. Texting with a smaller phone is worse than using a larger phone with bigger buttons. Using a computer keyboard and playing video games can cause the same problem. So more and more people could find themselves with RSI. Among them, most are university students and teenagers, as they do not know the risks of spending so much time using computer, video games and mobile phones. If we don't do something about this, too many young people could grow up in terrible pain.
根据短文内容，完成下列小题。
1. What is becoming very popular now?
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2. Does the word “once” mean “one time” in the second passage?
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3. What kind of people are easier to have the problem of RSI?
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4. What can also cause RSI except texting?
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5. Which is easier to cause the problem of RSI, using smaller mobile phones or larger ones?
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相似题推荐
【推荐1】Our brain is the most important part in our body. It helps us to think, speak, feel, and move. It’s no wonder we need to look after it and just like the rest of our body. We need to keep it exercised to keep it healthy.
Our brain is made up of 86 billion neurons—or nerve cells (神经元), but as we age, some of these gradually die off. In serious situations, nerve cells in different areas of the brain become hurt and finally die, leading to a condition called dementia (痴呆), which influences a person’s ability to think properly.
It’s a good idea to train our brain by learning ways to increase our memory and intelligence. For example, solving crossword puzzles (字迹) can be really helpful. Dr Catherine Loveday, who’s a neuropsychologist, thinks learning a second language is also great for the brain, as it requires us to switch (切换) between languages, making our brain stronger.
However, if you don’t speak another language, there are still ways to train your brain. If you’re right-handed, try performing tasks like brushing your teeth with your left hand to improve your brain.
The main reason we do these exercises is to keep our brain active. It can help to develop additional abilities to help protect the brain against the loss of memory or thinking. Dr Catherine Loveday, says, “Even if people take up languages or other activities later in life, it will provide them with a degree of protection.” As an old saying goes, “It’s never too old to learn.”
According to a study, people are surprised to know about that eating chocolate might increase our ability to get and use knowledge. It could improve how you learn and use information. Although it might not be good for the rest of your body, at least it could make you a brain box!
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Are you nearsighted (近视的)? Do you wear glasses? Many of you may say “yes”.
In fact, China’s young people have the highest rate (率) of nearsightedness in the world. More than 70 percent of middle school students in China are nearsighted.
In August, a plan to solve this problem was introduced. It aims to cut down the rate of nearsightedness for middle school students to less than 60 percent by 2030. Schools across the country are taking action to meet this goal.
Luoyang Experimental School in Henan started with its desks. It has designed (设计) desks with a board above the desktop (桌面). The board stops students from lowering (降低) their heads too close to their desktops. More than 400 students have used them so far. More students will use them soon. Similarly, the High School Affiliated (附属的) to Renmin University Chaoyang Branch School is now providing desks and chairs according to students’ heights. Studies have shown that proper desk height can prevent (预防) nearsightedness.
Spending more time outside can also reduce (减少) nearsightedness. The Yucai middle School makes sure that its students play outside for at least 80 minutes every day. We have a P.E. class and a 20-minute break in the morning and afternoon to do exercises, "said Sun Zihan, 14.
Staring at screens can also hurt our eyes. Beijing 101 Middle School has a solution to this problem. In its classrooms, there are special boxes for storing students’ cellphones. “We have to hand in our cellphones every morning and get them back after school,” said Huang Jiameng, 15.
1. How many middle school students in China are nearsighted?2. Why are the desks designed with a board above the desktop?
3. How do students reduce nearsightedness in the Yucai Middle School?
4. Is it bad for our eyes when we stare at the cellphone screens?
5. What does this passage mainly talk about?
Do you know how to protect your eyes well? Here are some ideas about how to keep your eyes healthy.
First, you have to pay more attention to your diet. You should eat food that is good for your eyes. They are fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs and milk.
Second, you must have a regular sleep. It relaxes the eyes. If you can not have enough sleep, you may have dark circles under the eyes.
Next, you must exercise your eyes every day. Blink（眨眼） your eyes, which makes the eyeballs watery, and gives them a good wash. Finally, you should use your eyes in right ways.
● If a small thing goes into your eye,you start rubbing(揉) it, which is wrong.
● Always use sunglasses to stop the sunshine from shining directly into your eyes.
● Too much reading,writing, watching TV or working on the computer can also make eyes tired.So a good rest is needed.
If you can remember to take good care of your eyes, your life will be colorful.
Diet | * You shouldn’t eat food that is |
Sleep | * You should get enough sleep every day. |
Eye exercising | * Blink（眨眼）your eyes, which makes the eyeballs watery, and washes them |
Eye using | * It’s wrong to rub it * You have to use glasses to stop the sunshine from shining directly into your eyes. * You shouldn’t |
It’s highly possible that robots will be used to help human teachers in the near future. That’s according to a study by scientists from universities in the USA, Japan and Europe. The study has looked up more than 100 published articles, which have shown robots to be effective (有效) in increasing learning results.
Because of pressures on teaching budgets (预算), and calls for more personalized teaching, scientists have started to build robots for the classroom-not the robots used to learn about technology and math, but social robots that can actually teach. The study shows robots are skilled in teaching certain subjects, such as vocabulary and numbers.
Robots can free up time for teachers, allowing them to focus on what people still do best.
Recent developments in China may provide us with a glimpse (一瞥) of the future.
The Hong Kong-based English language newspaper, South China Morning Post, has reported some kindergartens (幼儿园) across China have used AI robots to help interact with their pupils.
The AI robots interact with the young children by playing games with them, singing, dancing, reading stories, carrying out conversations and even doing math.
Since 2016, the AI robots have been used in about 200 kindergartens across China, the newspaper reported.
So can we expect to see robots helping us at school? How soon will it be before you see a robot in a classroom near you?
1. How many kindergartens have the AI robots been used in across China since 2016?2. According to the study, what subjects are robots good at teaching?
3. Do you think robots will take place of (代替) teachers in the classroom in the future? Why or why not?
China has completed its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (卫星导航系统), or BDS, becoming another one in the world with a global navigation network, the other three being GPS of the US, GLONASS of Russia and Galileo of the European Union.
As the name suggests, the global navigation satellite system works all day and all night to serve people. It can help people navigate and locate things. From what we have known so far, building a good satellite system costs a lot. Besides, the other systems have been set up. Why does China have a new one?
The other three systems have 24 satellites in MEO (Medium Earth Orbit). Besides the 24 satellites, China’s new global navigation satellite system BeiDou also has three satellites in GEO (Geosynchronous orbit) and three in IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit). What’s special about these six satellites is that they have a relatively fixed (固定的) area of activity. This can improve BDS’ accuracy (精准度) in China and the Asia-Pacific areas to 5 meters, compared with a 10-meter accuracy in other areas. What’s more, it allows users to have a two-way communication. In areas not covered by communication signals (信号) such as deserts, forests, mountainous and polar areas, we were not able to send short messages. But with the help of BDS, we can do that now. With this service, users who are in danger can tell others their location and condition.
As a country with a large population, it’s important for China to have its own global navigation satellite system. And as China develops fast, a navigation satellite system is in great need. In fact, BDS is also good business. According to the official report, China’s satellite industry (产业) has kept a 20% yearly growth since 2012. And 80% of it is brought by BDS. In addition, BDS has also created countless high-paying jobs. And with continuous improvement, it will have much more to offer in the future.
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【推荐3】The warm climate, water plants and wetland in nature reserves provide an ideal living environment for wild animals. This makes them feel like going back to nature. In reserves, people watch and study animals’ living habits, activities and so on.
Now, the AI system in reserves plays an important role in studying wildlife. Instead of using binoculars, people just sit in front of a big screen and then they can watch every move the animals make. The AI system helps in many ways. First, the AI system can tell the differences between different types of wild animals and record the changes in numbers based on their tails, feet and beaks. Second, it can keep recording animal behaviours for researchers day and night, while in the past, such recording could not last. Moreover, it can check unusual behaviours among the animals. If an animal walks or flies in an unusual way or lies on the ground for a while, the system can help find out what happens. So researchers can take quick actions to save it in time. Besides its main functions, the system can help to warn the unauthorized (未经许可的) people away from the protected areas. The AI system is also served as an educational platform (平台) for the people. By using it, visitors can watch and learn more about the wild animals living in the reserve.
However, there are problems. On one hand, the AI system itself sometimes mistakes an animal for another, or a plant for an animal. On the other hand, people still need to go around to get a whole understanding of wildlife because the AI system has not been put in at every corner of the reserves. To further develop the AI system, the reserves are now working with more high-tech companies.
阅读以上信息，用恰当的单词完成下面的表格，每空一词。| The functions of reserves | ●The reserves help wild animals feel like ●Researchers can watch and study wildlife in reserves. | |
| The AI system used in reserves | The advantages | ●It can tell the differences of wild animals and record the changes in numbers based on their looks. ●It can help researchers keep recording animal behaviours without considering ●By using it, the risk of wild animals’ getting hurt and deaths will be quite ●It warns unauthorized people not to enter the protected area. ●It increases visitors’ |
| The problems | ●It sometimes makes mistakes. ●It hasn’t | |
Most cities and towns in China have night markets(夜市).During the day, these streets are quiet. At night, they become crowded (拥挤的) and lively. Usually, people get there at three or four in the afternoon. At 6 o'clock, the streets are like of people. Night markets are fun places to shop. You can buy clothes and shoes. If you think the things cost too much money, you can bargain(砍价) with the seller.You can also buy nice food. When you are hungry, you can sit down for a meal. Smelly tofu(臭豆腐) is popular, it really smells bad, but it tastes good. The best thing is: everything atnight markets is cheap.
根据短文内容,回答下列问题
1. Where can we find night markets in China?
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2. When do people usually get to the night markets?
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3. What can we buy at the night markets?
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4. Can we bargain with the seller at the night markets?
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5. How does the smelly tofu taste?
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TV PK shows(选秀节目) have been popular for more than ten years. Even now, they can attract many people with talents to take part in. Many young people are very excited about them. Some of them even give up their jobs to take part in these shows in the hope of becoming famous overnight.
A company online did a survey among 800 teenagers. Here are parts of the survey results.
| Which country’s TV PK shows do you like best? | |
| America |  30%(240) |
| UK |  4%(32) |
| China |  ▲ |
| Japan |  18%(144) |
| Republic of Korea |  16%(128) |
However, different people have different opinions about these TV PK shows.
| Life is not all about grades. We have to prepare for the show for a long time to practice our act. Anyway, TV PK shows give us a way to make our dreams come true. —Anna, a student | It is true that some young people like to stand out in PK shows, but that doesn’t mean taking part in TV PK shows is a good way to become successful for all the young people. —Mr. Brown, a teacher |
| Taking part in these shows may make young people think it’s easier to become successful, so they may look down upon the way of getting successful by working hard. —Cindy White, a parent | If we don’t take these shows too seriously, taking part in these shows is just a great way for kids to relax and show their talents. —Dennis Smith, a parent |
Do you like watching TV PK shows? What do you think of these shows? You can also take part in the survey and email your answer to the survey company at https://www. surcom. com.
1. How long have TV PK shows been popular?2. Why do some young people give up their jobs to take part in TV PK shows?
3. What can be put in the“ ▲ ”?
4. What is the advantage of taking part in TV PK shows?
5. What do both Mr. Brown and Cindy White think of TV PK shows?
6. What are you talented in? How do you show others your talent?
With the development of the society, the level of our life has improved. We have all kinds of food to choose from. However, we all waste food, you and me, every day, millions of tons of it. In China, plenty of food is wasted in restaurants every year to feed 200 million people. And the amount(数量)of food wasted by Chinese customers is increasing fast. So our country is being encouraged to prevent wasting food.
Thus, what should Chinese customers do to stop food waste?
◆ Keep a kitchen diary
All of us should keep a kitchen diary, and we can know how much food we waste at home. The first thing for us to do is stop throwing away food that we can still eat. We should eat everything we buy and if we cannot, we should buy less.
◆ Buy only what we need
We should ask for smaller ones in the supermarket. We should also check how much food we have ① buying more. We shouldn’t bring much food we don’t need home even if large posters ask us to do so.
◆ Develop the habit of ② food
Chinese customers are generous(慷慨的)and friendly. In restaurants, often too much food is ordered and served. So when eating out, we are supposed to exclude(排除)the food in the menu if we don’t plan to eat it. And order smaller servings in restaurants and take home what we cannot finish.
Don’t put it off! Let’s stop food waste today!
任务一：请根据短文内容，分别写出①、②处所缺单词。（每空限填一词）
1. ①
任务二：阅读短文，从短文中找出与下面句子意思相近的句子。
2. In China, the food people waste in the restaurant every year can be used to feed two hundred million people.
任务三：请把上文中划线的句子翻译成汉语。
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任务四：请根据短文内容回答下列问题。
4. Why are people in our country encouraged to stop wasting food?
5. What is the passage mainly about?
