Tiny pieces of plastic are everywhere. Now, they’ve been found in bottled water. And the amount is about one hundred times more than scientists once thought.
This is a finding from a study by researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University. The team tested three brands (品牌) of bottled water sold in the US. They found about 240,000 tiny plastic pieces in a liter of bottled water.
About 10% of these plastic pieces were microplastics (微塑料). And the other 90% were nanoplastics (纳米塑料). The nanoplastic is smaller than a human hair.
Microplastics can pass into our blood, brain and cells (细胞). They have already been found in humans’ blood and waste. However, nanoplastics can be even more dangerous. Their smaller size makes them enter the human body easily.
So can they hurt us? Scientists aren’t sure yet. But earlier research has shown that the chemicals (化学物质) used in plastic production are harmful to our health. They can put people at increased risk of illness. The nanoplastics themselves may not be harmful. But they can act as carriers of those dangerous chemicals.
The researchers hope their work will lead to a better understanding of how much plastic humans put into their bodies. And the study provides more support for past advice to avoid drinking water from plastic bottles. So try to do that from now on!
Tiny pieces of plastic have been found in bottled water. The researchers |
Small Talk, Large Effect
Have you ever found yourself waiting at the stop for your bus to arrive and have a stranger ask an ordinary question? Perhaps you’ve stood in line waiting for a coffee and feel the need to just look over to the person next to you and ask about the weather.
(This is small talk, and despite the name) it’s actually a big part of daily life.
“Small talk may seem trivial (微不足道的), but it’s a natural way for people to connect. It may seem like a waste of time. But it serves an important role in our social interactions (交往). Big relationships are built on small talk,” Lindy Pegler, who has a master’s degree in psychology, wrote on Medium.
In fact, we spend a lot of our time making small talk. Often, we find ourselves making small talk with the same people on a regular basis. Coming up with small conversations is the foundation (基础) of these relationships.
The benefits of such conversations can actually contribute to our happiness and benefit our lives as a whole. In a recent study, researchers found that having a healthy amount of acquaintances ( 相识的人) and keeping these relationships contribute to one’s sense of belonging to a community.
So how does one start making small talk? It can be as simple as admiring one’s shirt, asking about their day or commenting on the traffic. “First and foremost, small talk is an act of politeness,” Pegler noted. “Our small talk at our first meeting is our chance to show who we are,” she added.
Who knows where this can lead? Nowadays, the small connections we make can lead to big results. You might find someone who has a common interest, or maybe even someone who turns out to be a close friend.
There is one thing for sure: Making small talk can brighten our day, even if it’s just a nice comment or a thoughtful question.
So the next time you find yourself waiting for the bus or checking your watch while you wait in a line, take the opportunity to look up and talk to someone around you. After all, it takes a small connection to lead to a larger one.
1. What is actually a big part of daily life?2. What did the researchers find in a recent study?
3. According to Pegler, why do we make small talk?
4. Would you like to try to make small talk in your daily life? Why or why not?
Born in 1985 in Guangdong, Chen Guodong is a great architect (建筑师). He once studied in Japan, and he now enjoys a happy life building houses in Guizhou.
Different from most young people who would like to get a good job in big cities, Chen loves working in village areas where he can build houses and do field research at the same time. He loves his job of creating homes for people. “I have been thinking about what village areas will be like in the future and how living spaces that are built from wood can provide villagers with better service,” he said.
In 2017, Chen moved his design (设计) company from Japan to Liping, Guizhou. Liping is home to some of China’s most traditional villages and to all kinds of wooden buildings, which were built in ancient times. “I fell in love with wooden buildings when I was at university,” Chen said.
Chen always works hard. While working on a project, Chen usually remains on site (在现场) from start to finish. He and his team often live in a village for more than a year. In Huanggang village in Liping, Chen turned a wooden granary (粮仓) into a large public space. People can experience the peace of village life and also meet visitors there.
The house Chen made for Yang Hui, a teacher in a nearby village, was even more amazing. The house’s first floor, once used for raising animals, was turned into a living room, bedrooms and a kitchen, and its second and third floors have become a public space for teaching and guest rooms. Yang hopes her house will stay for 100 years. “I will use this place to hold activities to teach about traditional culture,” she said. Chen sees no reason why the home shouldn’t last that long, and he views his wooden houses as environmentally friendly and affordable (经济实惠的)!
Chen Guodong is a great architect. Now, he builds houses in Guizhou and lives there Since he was at university, Chen has been in Chen is always He used to turn a wooden granary in Huanggang village into a large public space, which allows people there to experience the |
Have you watched the TV drama Meet Yourself? Since it became a huge hit on TV and online, the topic of living in the city or in the country has brought great discussion among the public. Although these two types of living differ from each other by environment, job opportunities (机会) and cost of living, they have something in common such as daily routine (日常事务), values, and people living and working in these areas.
Everyone has a different lifestyle. Their choices depend on their ages, jobs, hometowns and so on. What are young people’s choices? Here is some voice from all over the world.
Jeyong, Korea | I like living in cities more than the country because I like the crowdedness of people all busy walking around. Being with many people and talking to new people are something that I love very much. |
Amanda, England | Well, I’ve lived in very big cities: Tokyo, Bangkok, and Los Angeles. Now it is the first time ever that I’ve lived in the countryside. I’m finding that I like it a lot better. I have time to do things that I could never do in the city, like playing the guitar or even reading news. I’m enjoying a peaceful lifestyle a lot more than the busy city life. |
Martin, America | I grew up on a very small farm in the country. I enjoyed the clean air and the wild life around but it was boring. The city is much more exciting and has a lot more to do, see and experience. So generally speaking, the city is the way to go for me. |
Byran, Canada | I think that living in the city would be so much better than living in the country. I like being active, and I like going out. So for me, living in the country would be boring. |
So what about Chinese people? Since 2022, the words “livable (宜居的) city” have got increasing popularity on Xiaohongshu, China’s biggest lifestyle-sharing platform. A survey was even carried out among young people.
Report on young people’s choices of cities to live in. Which city do you think is the most livable city?
Factors (因素) to consider:
Categories(类别) | Examples |
Life | Languages, food, natural condition, local customs ... |
Economy (经济) | Housing price, job opportunities, the cost of living ... |
Infrastructure (基础设施) | Transportation, hospitals, schools... |
What do you think is the most important factor to consider?
2. What does Amanda think of living in the countryside?
3. Among the people mentioned in the passage, who prefers to live in cities?
4. What are the top three most livable cities according to the report?
5. Which category of factors do young people consider most when choosing a city to live in?
6. What do you think is the most important factor when you choose where to live? Why?
Once Tao Xingzhi, the headmaster of Yucai Primary School, saw a boy hitting other boys with a stone in the school. He immediately stopped him, and ordered him to go to his office after school.
When Tao came to his office after school, the boy was already waiting at the door. Tao took out a candy and gave it to him, saying, “This is for you, because you came here on time and I was late.” The boy took the candy in surprise. Then Mr. Tao took out another candy and put it into his hand, saying, “This candy is also for you, because when I stopped you, you stopped immediately. This showed that you respected me.” The boy looked at him with his eyes wide open.
Then Tao took out the third candy and gave it to the boy. “I found that those boys were bullying (霸凌) the girls. You hit them, and it showed your courage.” The boy was moved to tears and said regretfully. “Mr. Tao, please punish me. I hurt my own classmates.”
Tao smiled. He took out the fourth candy and handed it to him. saying, “4.你意识到了自己的错误，所以我会再给你一块糖。My candies are over, and our talk is over!”
5.Some people always punish others to remind them of their mistakes. However, they forget that praise can also achieve that.
1—3题根据短文内容回答问题，4、5题将画线部分译成英文或中文。1. What did the boy do to other boys?
2. How did the boy feel when he was given a candy?
3. Why did Tao Xingzhi give the boy the second candy?
4. 将短文中划线的句子翻译成英文。
5. 将短文中划线的句子翻译成中文。
In autumn, the wild geese migrate (迁移) to a warmer place. They fly in a V formation (队形). Why do they fly like this? Here is the story of the migrating wild geese. If they fly in a V formation, the whole group will increase the flight efficiency by 71% compared with just one bird flying alone.
They share the same direction and work as a team so that they can get to the destination (目的地) more quickly and easily. When a wild goose leaves the formation, it will feel the resistance (阻力) of the air and the difficulties of flying alone. Then, it quickly comes back to the formation to be protected by the group’s power in front of it. If the leader wild goose gets tired of flying, it will go to the end of the V formation while another one takes the lead. This is how they share the leadership and have respect for everyone in the team. The wild geese flying at the back of a V formation quack (嘎嘎叫) to encourage the ones in the front so that they keep the same speed. The progress is greater by encouraging each other. If a goose gets sick, it must leave the formation, and other wild geese leave the formation too. They fly with it to help it out and protect it, or they stay with it until it dies or it is able to fly again. They just make another V formation. So they stay beside each other in times of difficulties and great challenges.
Let’s learn from this teamwork story of the wild geese. If we know the spirit of teamwork, if we understand the real value of friendship, if we are aware of the feeling of sharing, life will be easier and full of success.
1. The wild geese fly to a warmer place2. The leader wild goose will go to
3. When a goose gets sick, it must
4. According to the passage, wild geese are
5. What have you learnt from the wild geese migration?
Two tickets. Only two tickets to the big basketball game. Three pairs of eyes all focused on the tickets in Dad’s hand. Marcus asked, “Only two tickets? But, Dad, which of us gets to go with you?” “Yeah, Daddy, who gets to go?” repeated Caleb. “Dad, can’t you get any more tickets?” I asked. “I’m afraid not,” Dad answered. “Mr. Williams offered the two tickets to me when he found out he’d be out of town this weekend,” Dad smiled and added, “I’ll have to figure out a fair way of choosing between the three of you by tomorrow morning. I’ll have to decide who deserves (应得) it most.”
The next morning, Marcus hurried into the kitchen. “Where’s Dad?” he asked. “He and Mom went to the library,” Caleb answered. “And he said we should all get started on housework as soon as we finish breakfast,” I added. “Housework! He must be kidding,” Marcus said.
“I’m going for the preview (预告) of tonight’s game on the newspaper,” Marcus announced. “Wait for me!” Caleb rushed after his brother. I looked at the breakfast table in a mess. Well, I thought to myself, “It looks like Saturday morning housework starts right here.”
A few minutes later, as I was doing the housework, I heard the basketball bouncing (弹跳) off the driveway. I knocked on the window three times. The boys looked towards me. “Okay, we’re coming in to help. Just one more minute.”
I carried the rubbish bag out to the dustbin outside the back door. “You guys, Mom and dad will be back any minute,” I reminded them. I began to open the lid on the dustbin. Then a white envelope (信封) caught my attention. I noticed that someone had written the word “Congratulations!” on the front of the envelope and inside of it was the ticket!
That evening, a dad and his daughter cheered their team to victory. It was a long-remembered lesson about duty from a dad who let his kids make their own choices.
1. Who offered Dad the tickets?2. When would the basketball game take place?
3. What were brothers doing when I was doing the housework?
4. Where did I find the ticket?
5. Do you think Dad’s idea is a fair way? Why or why not?
8 . The flying car is a symbol of the future. It can be here soon! Companies are trying to make the flying car a real transportation choice. In cities, people get tired of being stuck in a traffic jam. They’ve dreamed about flying machines for many years.
People in Dubai are very lucky, because they can travel in the self-flying air taxi very soon. The egg-shaped air taxi, named the Ehang184, is made in China. It can travel for up to 30 minutes with a person that weighs up to 100kg. It can reach a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. What’s more, it only takes two hours to charge the Ehang184 fully.
To call for a flying taxi, passengers need to enter their destinations (目的地) into a mobile app. The flying taxi then sets the flight plan and takes the passenger to his destination.
Dubai isn’t the first city to show an interest in using the flying car. New York City has started testing the flying car Transition for public use. Transition is a two-seat air plane that runs on gas. It can take off and land at the airports. It can also run on roads. Its wings fold up for ground use. They open up for flight. Sounds cool, right?
Thanks to modern technology, we’ll be able to use flying cars in the near future.
根据短文内容，完成句子，每空一词。1. People in cities easily get caught in
2. The Ehang184 is
3. The Ehangl84 can carry a person
4. Transition
5. Transition can
9 . It’s hard to believe that a beautiful silk dress comes from thousands of very little worms (蠕虫) called silkworms! It takes about 5,500 silkworms to make 2.2 pounds of silk. The process was invented by the Chinese about 5,000 years ago.
How is silk made? The process starts with silkworm eggs. The eggs are collected and kept warm. After a few days, silkworms come out of the eggs. They are fed leaves from mulberry trees (桑树) every 30 minutes, all night and all day. The room must be kept warm, without loud noises or bad smells. After a month, they start to make cocoons (茧). After four days, the cocoons are over.
The cocoons are heated (加热), and the silkworms are killed inside them. Then the cocoons are put into water to make the silk loose (松散的). The silk from three or four cocoons is put together and made into a thread (线). One cocoon can make a thread 1 kilometer long! Finally, the silk threads are made into cloth, and the cloth is used for things like dresses, scarves and neckties (领带).
Today, silk is produced in many countries, including India and Thailand, but more than 80 percent of the world’s silk comes from China. Every year, enough silk thread is produced to go from the earth to the sun 300 times. People love silk clothes because they are beautiful and comfortable—silk feels cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather. Now you know why silk is so expensive!
阅读短文，根据短文内容回答问题。1. When was the process of making silk invented?
2. What do silkworms eat?
3. How long can one cocoon make a thread?
4. What is the cloth made of silk used for?
5. Why do people love silk clothes?
The 2023 International Basketball Expo was held from November 8 to 12 in Jinjiang, Fujian. Many basketball brands, players and fans got together to share their love for the sport.
Young basketball lover Song Yihong is one of them. The 11-year-old started to learn basketball at the age of 5 because he wanted to grow taller.
Through basketball, he knew about his advantages and disadvantages more clearly. Song also said that training is quite hard and he often gets injuries. But after that, he gains more power. “Now I am able to face any difficulty in life,” he said.
Sun Yue, a coach at LI-NING YOUNG Basketball School, said he was happy that basketball is popular in China and that teenagers love basketball. But he said there’s a long way to go.
TOP TIPS
Sun Yue said that some teenagers are interested in basketball but are afraid that they are not tall enough. He suggested that they should give basketball a try. “Height is never a limitation(限制),” Sun said. “Short players also have their own way to win.”
He also said that teenagers should have guidance(指导) when playing basketball. “Besides basketball skills, they still learn to work with others and to follow rules,” Sun said. “Basketball is a good way for them to learn these important lessons in life.”
Development of basketball in China
In 2021, about 125 million people were interested in basketball.
Who chooses the sport of basketball?
Through playing basketball, family members take part in sports activities together.
More than 70 percent of teenagers think that playing basketball at school is an important way to improve their basketball skills.
| More than 25 percent of teenagers are in basketball clubs or teams. |
| Almost 60 percent of schools in China have basketball teams. |
| More than 40 percent of schools in China have basketball clubs. |
(Chart 2)
1. Why did Song Yihong play basketball when he was five years old?2. What progress does Song Yihong get by playing basketball?
3. What’s Sun Yue’s advice for short players?
4. There are 1500 students in No. 1 Middle School. According to Chart 1, how many students choose basketball?
5. What’s the percentage of teenagers who are in basketball clubs or teams according to Chart 2? Are you in your school basketball club team?
6. What do you think of the sport of basketball? What else can we get through this sport?
