1 . In France, a bookstore chain has put a special camera in its shops. The system feeds a video stream to software which
The bookseller wants to keep its name
Simple video produces a lot of insights, but there are far more complicated ways of learning about shoppers’
All of this could be a(n)
One obvious
A.receives | B.analyzes | C.deigns | D.delivers |
A.return | B.nod | C.yell | D.sit |
A.to | B.at | C.for | D.by |
A.present | B.different | C.quiet | D.famous |
A.testing | B.improving | C.leading | D.leaving |
A.ideas | B.preferences | C.choices | D.emotions |
A.must | B.need | C.can | D.should |
A.services | B.prices | C.qualities | D.packages |
A.product | B.value | C.discount | D.activity |
A.challenge | B.chance | C.alternative | D.routine |
A.on | B.off | C.up | D.in |
A.mature | B.popular | C.attractive | D.expensive |
A.impressions | B.suggestions | C.results | D.promotions |
A.change | B.imitation | C.example | D.signal |
A.satisfied | B.affected | C.confused | D.depressed |
2 . I teach digital technology. Although this class is high-tech; we try to make it high-touch. In other words, we keep screen-time to a
One day, I helped my Grade 8 students build robotic arms. They’re
Educators and parents have done a lot of thinking lately about the future of
A.balance | B.target | C.height | D.minimum |
A.displaying | B.allowing | C.improving | D.inspiring |
A.ordinary | B.urgent | C.significant | D.tough |
A.work out | B.turn around | C.show off | D.catch up |
A.mental | B.legal | C.mechanical | D.financial |
A.disappearing | B.failing | C.freezing | D.boiling |
A.applications | B.opportunities | C.possibilities | D.challenges |
A.suggestions | B.mistakes | C.excuses | D.apologies |
A.bring | B.call | C.lift | D.wake |
A.thinking | B.training | C.learning | D.teasing |
A.Crucially | B.Suddenly | C.Seriously | D.Occasionally |
A.candidates | B.competitors | C.colleagues | D.audience |
A.entertainment | B.education | C.society | D.technology |
A.scene | B.stage | C.ground | D.screen |
A.provide | B.replace | C.combine | D.assist |
3 . A RCHAEOLOGISTS have recently made some stunning discoveries at the famed Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan province.
A treasure trove of bronze, gold and jade wares have been uncovered from the site’s six pits. At least 10 of the bronze wares in the trove have never been seen in the history of human civilization.
Researchers described a bronze box with a piece of green jade ware inside of it as the highlight of the 10 relics. The top and bottom of the vessel are covered with turtle shell-shaped lids, each of which resembles a net. And the sides of the box are decorated with dragon head-shaped handles and a few bronze streamers (饰带).
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that the vessel is one of a kind, given its distinctive shape, fine craftsmanship and clever design,” said Professor Li Haichao at Sichuan University. “Although we do not know what this vessel was used for, we can assume that ancient people treasured it.”
Another new find from the past was a bronze altar nearly 0.9 meters tall, upon which researchers believe the people of the Shu civilization made offerings to heaven, earth and their ancestors.
......
1. Which of the following vessels is the most impressive?A.A bronze box. | B.A jade ware. |
C.A bronze streamer. | D.A green zun. |
A.Offering heaven and earth. | B.Honoring their ancestors. |
C.Putting sacrificial offerings. | D.Showcasing Shu civilization. |
4 . With an abundance of sun and wind, Spain is positioning itself as Europe’s future leader in green hydrogen production to clean up heavy industries. But some energy experts express caution because this process relies on massive availability of zero-carbon electricity.
Green hydrogen is created when renewable energy sources power an electrical current that runs through water, separating its hydrogen and oxygen molecules (分子). The process doesn’t produce planet-warming carbon dioxide, but less than 0.1% of global hydrogen production is currently created in this way.
The separated hydrogen can be used in the production of steel, ammonia (氨) and chemical products, all of which require industrial processes that are harder to stop fossil fuels. Hydrogen also can be used as a transportation fuel, which could one day transform the highly polluting shipping and aviation sectors.
Spain’s large, windswept and thinly populated territory receives more than 2,500 hours of sunshine on average per year, providing ideal conditions for wind and solar energy, and therefore green hydrogen production.
“If you look at where hydrogen is going to be produced in Europe in the next million years, it’s in two countries, Spain and Portugal,” said Thierry Lepercq, the founder and president of HyDeal Ambition, an industry platform bringing together 30 companies. “Hydrogen is the new oil.”
......
1. Why are some experts cautious about green hydrogen production in Spain?A.It needs large amounts of sun and wind. | B.It has an effect on heavy industries. |
C.It causes conflicts among countries. | D.It uses lots of zero-carbon electricity. |
A.Ideal geographical conditions. | B.The support from government. |
C.Hydrogen production technology. | D.Well-developed public transports. |
5 . How does an ecosystem (生态系统) work? What makes the populations of different species the way they are? Why are there so many flies and so few wolves? To find an answer, scientists have built mathematical models of food webs, noting who eats whom and how much each one eats.
With such models, scientists have found out some key principles operating in food webs. Most food webs, for instance, consist of many weak links rather than a few strong ones. When a predator (掠食动物) always eats huge numbers of a single prey (猎物), the two species are strongly linked; when a predator lives on various species, they are weakly linked. Food webs may be dominated by many weak links because that arrangement is more stable over the long term. If a predator can eat several species, it can survive the extinction (灭绝) of one of them. And if a predator can move on to another species that is easier to find when a prey species becomes rare, the switch allows the original prey to recover. The weak links may thus keep species from driving one another to extinction.
Mathematical models have also revealed that food webs may be unstable, where small changes of top predators can lead to big effects throughout entire ecosystems. In the 1960s, scientists proposed that predators at the top of a food web had a surprising amount of control over the size of populations of other species—including species they did not directly attack.
And unplanned human activities have proved the idea of top-down control by top predators to be true. In the ocean, we fished for top predators such as cod on an industrial scale, while on land, we killed off large predators such as wolves. These actions have greatly affected the ecological balance.
Scientists have built an early-warning system based on mathematical models. Ideally, the system would tell us when to adapt human activities that are pushing an ecosystem toward a breakdown or would even allow us to pull an ecosystem back from the borderline. Prevention is key, scientists say, because once ecosystems pass their tipping point (临界点), it is remarkably difficult for them to return.
1. What have scientists discovered with the help of mathematical models of food webs?A.The living habits of species in food webs. |
B.The rules governing food webs of the ecosystems. |
C.The approaches to studying the species in the ecosystems. |
D.The differences between weak and strong links in food webs. |
A.has a wide food choice |
B.can easily find new prey |
C.sticks to one prey species |
D.can quickly move to another place |
6 . Science is a process that builds upon existing theories and knowledge by continuously revising them. Every aspect of scientific knowledge can be questioned, including the general rules of thinking that appear to be most certain. So why is science trustworthy if it is always changing? If tomorrow we will no longer see the world as Newton or Einstein found it to be, why should we take seriously today’s scientific description of the world?
The answer is simple: Because at any given moment of our history, this description of the world is the best we have. The fact that it can be made better can’t diminish (降低) the fact that it is a useful instrument for understanding the world.
Consider a folk healer’s herbal medicine. Can we say this treatment is “scientific”? ...
What can we learn about today’s scientific description of the world?
A.It can be timeless. | B.It can be improved. |
C.It is of little value. | D.It is the best at any moment. |
7 . Value for money?
Yes. It’s not cheap but it’s a special experience that easily fills a day. Plus, it’s a valuable cause worth supporting. Adults£14, children 5-17 and students£6.50, under-4s free, family38 (two adults and two children) or£25 (one adult and three children).
How much would a couple with their 5-year-old twin sons pay for admission?
A.£25. | B.£34.5. | C.£38. | D.£41. |
8 . With the availability of easy-to-use at-home kits, DNA testing for dogs has become increasingly popular among dog owners in recent years. It can provide invaluable insights into a dog’s breed, health risks, and even behaviors.
DNA testing typically works by analyzing the genetic material found in a sample of cells taken from the inside of your dog’s cheek. This sample is then compared to a database of known breeds and genetic markers associated with certain traits or health conditions.
The first step in obtaining a DNA test kit is selecting which type you want. Most companies offer several different types of tests that vary in cost and complexity. For instance, some tests just analyze your dog’s breed composition, while others can assess additional genetic markers associated with certain diseases or behaviors.
Then it’s time to collect your dog’s sample using the provided swab (拭子) kit or saliva-collection tube included with most kits. The swab should be gently rubbed inside your pet’s cheek according to the kit’s directions before being placed into the collection container provided by the company. After collecting the sample, it should be mailed back to the laboratory for processing according to instructions given by the company providing the service. Once received by the lab, it typically takes 1-2 weeks for results to be processed and sent back via email or mail. Results will vary depending on which type of test was purchased, but they generally include detailed information about your pet’s breed composition as well as any potential health risks or behavioral traits associated with their genetics that could affect their overall well-being and quality of life.
If you’re looking for an easy way to learn more about your pup’s background without spending too much money, then DNA testing might just be right up your alley.
What is the correct order of having an DNA test?
①get the sample processed ②rub the swab gently ③receive the result
④select the type of test ⑤place the swab into the container ⑥mail the sample back to the lab
A.④-②-⑤-⑥-①-③ | B.④ ⑤-①-②-⑥-③ |
C.②-⑤-④-①-⑥-③ | D.②-④-⑤-⑥-①-③ |
9 . Welcome to our stand-up comedy classes
This is the workshop where beginners have grown into headliners and headliners have grown into stars. Our workshop stresses stand-up comedy writing and performing — the two key components of stand-up comedy.
Our classes are conducted by award-winning, comedy director and writer Stephen Rosenfield and his stand-up staff. They are conducted so that when it’s time for your club performance, you will have solidly written, funny material and you will be well rehearsed and ready to perform beyond your expectations. These stand-up comedy classes are offered to both beginners and advanced students. The workshop consists of group classes, private coaching sessions and a performance at Gotham or West Side Comedy Club.
Seats available: 2
Start date: May 17th
In-person show: May 20th at Gotham Comedy Club
Live streamed show: May 22nd on YouTube
Fees:
If you are a first time student: $410. If you are a returning student: $350.
We accept cash, checks or credit cards.
Your instructor: Becky Veduccio
Becky has been a professional comedian, writer and actress for over 15 years. She has performed stand-up comedy in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and London. Besides, she has appeared in commercials, theater and feature films. And she competed in the 2018 season of America’s GotTalent.
Her film works include Return to Me, Maid in Manhattan and Random Hearts. As a writer, she was chosen as one of Parenting. com’s top five “Favorite Mommy Bloggers” for her humorous articles on the website. In 2015, she won the New York Press Club Award for humorous writing. As an instructor, Becky has taught stand-up comedy to every age group — from elementary school kids and teenagers to university students and adults. She believes everyone has a comedic voice.
How much will a returning student save on the fee?
A.$10. | B.$50. | C.$60. | D.$80. |
10 . Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of ranger programmes throughout the park, and throughout the year. The following are descriptions of the ranger programmes this summer.
Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone (May 26 to September 2)
Whether you’re hiking a backcountry trail (小径), camping, or just enjoying the park’s amazing wildlife from the road, this quick workshop is for you and your family. Learn where to look for animals and how to safely enjoy your wildlife watching experience. Meet at the Canyon Village Store.
Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics (June 5 to August 21)
Kids can test their skills and compare their abilities to the animals of Yellowstone. Stay for as little or as long as your plans allow. Meet in front of the Visitor Education Centre.
Canyon Talks at Artist Point (June 9 to September 2)
From a classic viewpoint, enjoy Lower Falls, the Yellowstone River, and the breathtaking colours of the canyon (峡谷) while learning about the area’s natural and human history. Discover why artists and photographers continue to be drawn to this special place. Meet on the lower platform at Artist Point on the South Rim Drive for this short talk.
Photography Workshops (June 19 & July 10)
Enhance your photography skills — join Yellowstone’s park photographer for a hands-on programme to inspire new and creative ways of enjoying the beauty and wonder of Yellowstone.
6/19 — Waterfalls & Wide Angles: meet at Artist Point.
7/10 — Wildflowers & White Balance: meet at Washburn Trailhead in Chittenden parking area.
Which of the four programmes begins the earliest?
A.Photography Workshops. |
B.Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics. |
C.Canyon Talks at Artist Point. |
D.Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone. |