1 . What is talent? Are you born with it? Or does it seem to develop over time? Before I start, I’d like to say that one thing everyone agrees on is that the most skilled musicians have worked hard to get there.
While it’s true that a few of us had enough “talent” to avoid extra practice to do just as well as those who did, those who worked hard easily beat us. It is, in fact, very likely that if some of us “talented ones” had actually been practicing and improving our skill, we would have achieved a whole different level.
Another aspect of talent seems to be heart and passion (酷爱). The people I see who are the most talented musicians are crazy about music. They eat, breathe, and live music and they make an extraordinary effort to make it part of their lives. As Remus Badea said, desire for the musician-to-be is significant for them to be successful. This desire is easily found in those considered to be talented. When you want and love something so bad, it drives you and your entire character can be shaped around it. Such determined passion seems to produce incredible skill and talent.
The third aspect (方面) of talent is having talent around you. When surrounded by talented musicians, it only seems natural that you start to catch up to their level Take a look at almost any group of musicians in history. The more talented people in the group the more talented the group is as a whole. A great example of this is the relationship between audio producer and artist. The artist turns up to the studio with their song, and as they work through recording it, the audio producer will often suggest various changes to the song to make it better.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?| A．Pride goes before a fall. |
| B．It’s never too old to learn. |
| C．Practice contributes to talent. |
| D．Talent determines achievements. |
| A．Passion. | B．Character . | C．Skill. | D．Talent. |
| A．To introduce what real talents are. |
| B．To explain how a song is composed. |
| C．To prove talents need team spirit. |
| D．To show the benefits of being with talents. |
| A．Music has no limits. |
| B．Musicians are born with talent. |
| C．Music favors the talented. |
| D．Musicians are created, not born. |
2 . The use of AI (artificial intelligence) is becoming more common in many branches of industry and online shopping. Traditional lines of work, such as goods transport and driving, are developing in a similar direction although mainly out of public view. Scientists at the University of Göttingen have now investigated how efficient (高效的) the use of AI can be in the commercial management of trucks.
“Digital applications—as well as machine leaning, a kind of AI—are increasingly applied to operations and courses in the transport area,” explains Professor Matthias Klumpp from the Faculty of Economics. “The question in the commercial area, however, is whether or not this contributes to achieving goals.”
To answer this question, the researchers compared the work efficiency of truck drivers with their main use of AI applications. Looking at trade delivery by truck, they studied three groups: the first drove completely following human decision-making models; the second used a combination of human and machine; and the third depended completely on fully automated decisions.
The researchers found that an intelligent combination of human work and decision-making abilities with AI applications promises the highest transport and driving efficiency. “On average, the second group achieved the most efficient transport trips, with the fewest interventions (干预) and off-course from the best path.” one researcher said, “Clearly, neither a completely human decision-making structure nor a fully automated driving system can promise to meet current goods transport requirements.” The scientists therefore summarized that despite the progress of AI in the field of transportation by truck, human experience and decision-making abilities will still be necessary in the longer term. However, the challenge is that a wide range of training and qualification (资格) needs will come along by working with Al applications, especially for simple goods transport activities.
1. What does Matthias Klumpp focus on?| A．The efficiency of AI. |
| B．The advantages of AI. |
| C．The problems caused by AI. |
| D．The wide applications of AI. |
| A．By providing examples. |
| B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By using different trucks. |
| D．By listing three experiments. |
| A．Al is better at making decisions. |
| B．A balance is needed between human and AI. |
| C．Human will soon be replaced by AI in driving. |
| D．Al applications meet the current requirements. |
| A．The future of transport. |
| B．Artificial intelligence as a co-driver. |
| C．Artificial intelligence-a better choice in driving. |
| D．The strengths of artificial intelligence in transport. |
3 . China has just officially opened its FAST radio telescope to international scientists. Scientists across the world can submit proposals for astronomical observations using the telescope.
FAST is short for Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (球面射电望远镜) and it is also believed to be the world's largest radio telescope and the most sensitive single-dish radio telescope. The receiving surface area of FAST is 250,000 square meters, about the size of 30 standard football fields. Its construction was completed in September 2016 and it officially began operating in January 2020.
The major scientific task of the telescope is the observation of pulsars (脉冲星) – the rotating neutron stars. The study of pulsars can help to confirm the existence of gravitational radiation and black holes, and help solve many other major questions in physics. Another scientific goal of FAST is to search for outer space civilization.
The telescope is located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in southwest China's Guizhou Province. The first advantage of the selected site is the altitude. The average altitude of Guizhou is about 1,100 meters, which maximizes the effectiveness of the observation equipment. Secondly, the radio telescope needs to have a “big pan” to receive better signal. The huge natural depression could reduce the amount of excavation (挖掘) and difficulty of construction. Moreover, the selected site in Guizhou is far away from cities, and has a small population, which reduces the interference (干扰) caused by wireless devices such as TVs, mobile phones and radios from human activities.
FAST has identified over 300 pulsars. Experts predict that the number could reach 1,000 in five years and that the telescope could locate and identify the first pulsar outside the galaxy. With the opening-up to international scientists, China's FAST is expected to make more contribution to astronomical research in the future.
1. What do we know about FAST?| A．It is opened to global scientists. | B．It is a project under construction. |
| C．It has provided service since 2016. | D．It has found a pulsar outside the galaxy. |
| A．To study black holes. | B．To observe the pulsars. |
| C．To explore the sun. | D．To seek space civilization. |
| A．It's close to urban areas. | B．It reduces engineering amount. |
| C．It possesses a shallow depression. | D．It's at the highest altitude in China. |
| A．Major Scientific Tasks of FAST | B．Ways to Select the Site for FAST |
| C．Contributions FAST Has Made | D．Facts about FAST Radio Telescope |
4 . Beijing will provide COVID-19 vaccinations (接种疫苗) for certain groups in nursing homes, including the elderly and caregivers, on a voluntary basis to prevent a renewed outbreak at nursing homes during autumn and winter, the local government said.
Those who will receive the vaccines include nursing home kitchen workers, security guards and cleaners, Beijing Daily reported on Friday.
Xing Yinli, director of Jingkangyuan, a nursing home in Fengtai district with about 290 elderly residents (居民), said they have received the document (文件) recently and will strictly follow its guidance.
“It’s our top duty to strengthen prevention and control,” Xing said, adding they have been using methods such as keeping detailed records of resident contacts outside the nursing home, and encouraging online visits for family members.
As to vaccinations, she said they will ask for permission from residents, their family members and workers before giving vaccines.
In late October, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province carried out an emergency COVID-19 vaccine program, allowing the public to ask for injections (注射) in advance, with key groups first. A similar program was also organized in Jiaxing, Ningbo and Yiwu in Zhejiang.
Nationwide, emergency use of home-grown COVID-19 vaccines was approved in June and launched in late July. China now has four coronavirus candidate vaccines in the third stage clinical trials (临床试验).
The document from Beijing also said nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing (核酸检测) every month among kitchen workers and residents who leave the nursing homes to see a doctor. Tests will cover all people in nursing homes considered at high risk if new infections are reported in the city. Besides, routine disinfections (消毒) should be strengthened in kitchens, storerooms and restrooms, it said. The document also recommended non-contact visits from family members.
1. Where can you probably find this article?| A．In a newspaper. | B．In a fashion magazine. |
| C．In a book review. | D．In a travel journal. |
| A．China is providing vaccinations nationwide. |
| B．The four candidate vaccines have finished clinical trails. |
| C．China has taken the lead in coronavirus vaccines worldwide. |
| D．China has made great progress in coronavirus vaccines. |
| A．Nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing. |
| B．Beijing nursing homes are to be provided vaccines. |
| C．Certain groups will have vaccines first in late June. |
| D．Routine disinfections should be strengthened in kitchens. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Curious. | C．Doubtful. | D．Dissatisfied. |
5 . Best Family Vacations in Canada
When looking for the ideal destination for your next family vacation abroad, consider Canada for its wide range of multi-generational entertainment. Use this list to plan your next trip north, and vote below for your first-choice destination before you head out.
Niagara Falls | The maid of the mist boat tour may leave you fully wet, but it won’t wet your spirit on your trip. When you’re not admiring the falls, enjoy the blossoms at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Or, visit the Aquarium (水族馆) of Niagara, which has more than1,500 species of aquatic animals. |
Prince Edward Island | The background for the “Anne of Green Gables” stories, Prince Edward Island offers a variety of outdoor experiences—from sandy beaches to water sports like kayaking to exploring one of eight lighthouses. Plus, PEI is a quick flight from almost anywhere on the east coast. |
Whistler | Kids will love hitting the slopes (斜坡) on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains nearby Vancouver. Whistler also features educational activities, such as the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, for families who want to gain some learning while on vacation. |
Vancouver | You’ll find most of Vancouver’s kid-centered attractions in Granville Island and Stanley Park. The nearly 1,000-acre park has the Vancouver Aquarium, plus four playgrounds, and a mini-train. For a more exciting rush, walk across the 450-foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge. |
1. How may a visitor feel during the boat tour at Niagara Falls?
| A．Disappointed. | B．Excited. | C．Scared. | D．Surprised. |
| A．Niagara Falls. | B．Prince Edward Island. | C．Whistler. | D．Vancouver. |
| A．They are famous for bridges. |
| B．People can visit cultural centres. |
| C．Aquariums are the main attraction. |
| D．They have attractions for children. |
6 . As California gray whales wind their way south along North America's Pacific coast, researchers are watching, worried about another year of unexplained die﹣offs.
Last spring and summer, 215 whales inexplicably (说不清地) washed up along North America's West Coast. Concerned, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called for an investigation, bringing together researchers from the Arctic to Mexico to explore the strandings (搁浅) in a uniform manner.
According to the scientists involved with the investigation, it's still unclear what caused the 2019 die﹣off and whether the whales will fare better this year.
California gray whales migrate 5, 000 miles every year from the Arctic to Mexico's Baja. Their journey is the longest migration, and full of dangers such as ships and plastic rubbish. The journey back north is particularly dangerous because gray whales only eat while in the Arctic; therefore, they are running on empty as they make their return trip from Baja.
Data and observations collected this past summer by researchers based at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center have raised more questions than answers. For instance, 15 gray whales were spotted in one day in the eastern Beaufort Sea-a rare sighting for a species usually seen getting fat at their feeding grounds. But with the sea ice forming later in winter and breaking up earlier in summer, scientists wonder whether gray whales will continue to move farther east to new feeding areas.
In addition to changes in food availability, as sea ice decreases, whales are running into more and more ship traffic in these remote waters. Ship strikes and being trapped in fishing gear are common causes of whale injury and death.
Maggie Mooney﹣Seus, spokeswoman for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, said, "We are working to determine future whale research plans that may help shed light on this and other relevant questions."
1. The reason for the die﹣offs of the California gray whales is________.| A．lack of food. |
| B．too much plastic rubbish. |
| C．heavy ship traffic. |
| D．still under investigation. |
| A．They probably were looking for a new migrating path. |
| B．They probably were avoiding the noises of fishing gears. |
| C．They probably were exploring their new feeding grounds. |
| D．They probably were escaping from being hunted by the ships. |
| A．Clarify. |
| B．Solve. |
| C．Improve. |
| D．Research. |
7 . An 8-year-old boy I know is small for his age, shorter and slighter than his friends, even smaller than his 5-year-old sister. Concerned about the increasing use and possible risks of growth hormone(生长激素), I asked his mother if she’d considered treating him with it. She replied, “Not really. He’s built like his father, who was short and slight as a boy and didn’t shoot up until college.”
His father, at 41, is now 6 feet tall, though still very slender. He recalls being a reasonably athletic child but without the physical power of his friends, making up for what he lacked in mass with speed and agility. “I enjoyed competitive sports and worked on skills others didn’t have,” he told me, and said he encourages his son to recognize and capitalize on the skills he has.
If only every parent with a short but healthy child approached the matter as sensibly. Experts estimate that 60% to 80% of children who are short for their age do not have a growth hormone deficiency(缺乏) or other medical condition that limits growth. But knowing there’s a therapy available to increase height, some parents seek a medical solution for a perceived problem, even when there is no medical abnormality. They should also know, however, that new research has linked growth hormone treatment to serious unfavorable health effects years later.
Dr. Adda Grimberg, a doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, recalled that “Twenty years ago, families were focused on health. They came in with a child who was not growing right and wanted to know if there was an underlying disease. Now, more and more, they’re focused on height. They want growth hormone, looking for a specific height. But this is not like online shopping; you can’t just place an order and make a child the height you want.”
In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration approved use of recombinant human growth hormone for the condition known as “idiopathic short stature”, or short build of unknown cause, which is not a disease. But it has caused a growing number of parents to consider using the hormone to boost the height of their children.
The resulting rush to therapy reflects concerns about a widespread societal bias(偏见) against shortness, rather than a true medical need. Experts have noted that the practice backs up the belief that short stature is unacceptable, leading to an increasing demand for therapy. It is far better, Dr. Grimberg suggested, to help a short child develop coping skills than to buy inches through medicine.
1. As for the parents’ attitude to their 8-year-old boy’s shortness, the author is ________.| A．critical | B．tolerant | C．supportive | D．worried |
| A．They are eager to get the expected result. |
| B．They spare no effort to sort out the cause. |
| C．They feel disturbed by their children’s health. |
| D．They help develop their children’s coping skills. |
| A．It might be officially recommended. |
| B．It may fuel height discrimination. |
| C．It is pushed by a medical need. |
| D．It is targeted at certain diseases. |
| A．Shower the Short with Growth Hormones |
| B．Find Replacement for Growth Hormones |
| C．Assess the Effects of Growth Hormones |
| D．Weigh the Use of Growth Hormones |
8 . Scientists have shown a new printing process that can turn just about any piece of paper into a waterproof keyboard that you can fold up and put in your pocket.
The technique uses a special coating that's repellent (排斥的) to liquids and dust, which allows multiple circuit (电路) layers to be printed on top of the paper without any dirt between the layers. On the other side of the paper, standard ink printing can then be used to point out where the buttons are, and what they represent. These layers can be printed in any design you want. What's more, no batteries are required to operate the finished keyboard. It's able to be fully powered from the touch of the operator and the mechanical energy that's produced.
"This is the first time a self-powered paper-based electronic device has been shown," says engineer Ramses Martinez, from Purdue University. When the primed parts of the paper get pressed, they're able to send signals over Bluetooth to another device—a laptop, for example. You've then got a lightweight, foldable keyboard that can be taken anywhere and easily wiped clean when needed.
The technology is great. It's good for the environment because the paper can be simply recycled again. These paper devices are cheap to produce as well - less than $0.25 each, according to the researchers. Potential uses include smart packaging, or where temporary input devices are required.
"I expect this technology to help the user interact with food packaging—checking whether the food is safe to be consumed, or allowing users to sign the package that arrives at home by dragging their fingers over the box to properly identify themselves as the owner of the package," says Martinez. "Additionally, our group showed that simple paper sheets from a notebook can be transformed into music player interfaces (界面) for users to choose songs and play them."
1. What can we learn about the keyboard according to the text?| A．It consists of several layers of paper. |
| B．It's printed on both sides of the paper. |
| C．It's smaller than an ordinary keyboard. |
| D．It has its buttons hidden behind the layers. |
| A．By giving signals via Bluetooth. |
| B．By being attached to other devices. |
| C．By getting any part of the paper pressed. |
| D．By using the power produced by other devices. |
| A．Portable and beautiful. |
| B．Convenient and fashionable. |
| C．Eco-friendly and economical. |
| D．High-powered and permanent. |
| A．The technology makes food packaging easy. |
| B．The technology has been used in food industry. |
| C．The technology can be employed in more fields. |
| D．The technology will improve the quality of food. |
9 . Stepping Out Into Nature
The classic road trip is more popular than ever. Here are several places to hit the open road.
Colo-road Trips
The Colorado Tourism Office has made it easy for road-trippers to explore the state’s 24 Scenic & Historic Byways. A new microsite includes-an interactive map that enables travelers to explore options by region, interest or season. Travelers seeking inspiration can also access insider tips and side-trip suggestions for historic attractions, active adventures and highlight cultural opportunities.
The Beartooth Highway.
Visitors of this extraordinary byway experience the grand sights of Montana, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park. The windy 68-mile stretch introduces road explorers to one of the most diverse ecosystems accessible by auto. Breathtakingly beautiful, this All-American Road showcases wide, high alpine plateaus（高原）, painted with ice blue lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife.
Seward Highway, Alaska
The road that connects Anchorage to Seward is 127-mile treasure of natural beauty, wildlife and stories of adventure. The drive begins at the base of the Chugach Mountains, hugs the scenic shores of Turnagain Arm and winds through gold mining towns, national forests and fishing villages. Expect waterfalls, glaciers, eagles and some good bear stories.
The Lighthouse Trail, Maine
Travel the 375 miles between Kittery and Calais, Maine, visiting lighthouses along the way. Hear tales of shipwrecks（海难）and of the difficult and lonely life led by those who kept the lights burning brightly. If possible, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum. where artifacts and hands-on exhibits for children provide an appealing break.
1. What makes Colo-road Tips special?| A．Good bear stories. | B．A scenic beach. | C．Hands-on exhibits. | D．An interactive map. |
| A．Colorado. | B．Montana. | C．Alaska. | D．Maine |
| A．Colo-road Trips. | B．The Beartooth Highway. |
| C．Seward Highway. | D．The Lighthouse Trail. |
10 . On the banks of the beautiful Macquarie River, Bathurst is a town of pretty tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and wonderful heritage buildings. Many activities are held there year-round. Here are some for you.
The Lazy Sunday Afternoon
January 1
Join us for the Lazy Sunday Afternoon as we show you local award-winning wine from Three Views Vineyard. Please call in advance to book. Enjoy cheap wine tastings and a selection of cheeses. For those who do not want to drive, a pick-up is available.
International Museum Photograph Day
January 15
Celebrate International Museum Photograph Day with a selfie at Bathurst Regional Council Museums with free entrance. To win a prize for the most imaginative photographs, just use the marking Museum Photograph Day Bathurst when you post on Facebook.
Bathurst Miniature Railway
From February 1 to February 16
Bathurst Miniature Railway operates every third Sunday of the month. It is located next to the Tennis Centre in Durham Street. The club started in 1977 and today operates nearly 600 meters of race track in Durham Street Bathurst. Over the years more tracks for your enjoyment of sports have been added.
Challenge Bathurst
From November 28 to December 1
Challenge Bathurst is a great opportunity to drive your own street car or track racing car on the famous Mount Panorama Racing Circuit. With the most exciting 6.2 kilometers of bitumen (沥青) on the planet open for your speeding enjoyment, you won’t want to miss your chance to gain an unforgettable experience.
1. What do we know about the Lazy Sunday Afternoon?| A．It is held monthly. | B．It is free of charge. |
| C．It refuses to offer pick-up service. | D．It requires booking ahead of time. |
| A．A man loving food and wine. | B．A girl fond of taking pictures. |
| C．A kid expecting free car rides. | D．A teenager wanting to play tennis. |
| A．To introduce some events in Bathurst. | B．To advertise some summer activities. |
| C．To show races on the Bathurst streets. | D．To provide opportunities for indoor sports. |
