A
At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-
3 . While so many birds visit our leafy garden every year, it’s the pair of tawny frogmouths (茶色夜鹰) that have been returning for years to
Last summer the frogmouth family, parents and two babies, was
At first the birds seemed to enjoy the rain and moved out along the branch, fluffing up (抖开) their feathers to
Through the flashes of lightning, we watched in
When I look up at the pair of tawny frogmouths who continue to
| A．monitor | B．save | C．raise | D．teach |
| A．painful | B．risky | C．simple | D．serious |
| A．happily | B．nervously | C．hungrily | D．bravely |
| A．avoiding | B．enjoying | C．expecting | D．following |
| A．chance | B．hope | C．reporting | D．warning |
| A．light | B．heavy | C．freezing | D．seasonal |
| A．pay attention to | B．keep track of | C．get rid of | D．take advantage of |
| A．late | B．slow | C．sudden | D．perfect |
| A．attractive | B．unsafe | C．hiding | D．unimportant |
| A．amazement | B．horror | C．embarrassment | D．regret |
| A．remove | B．distract | C．protect | D．separate |
| A．quietly | B．away | C．back | D．sleepily |
| A．visit | B．decorate | C．approach | D．clean |
| A．restless | B．devoted | C．shy | D．determined |
| A．proud | B．lucky | C．demanding | D．wise |
4 . So many things can keep you from seeing your loved ones in person, from busy schedules to long distances. Fortunately, thanks to modem technology, the people you miss are often only a phone call or a text message away. According to science, if you want to feel more connected to the people you’re talking to, you should call them instead of texting.
In a study, researchers did various experiments. In one, they asked 200 people to imagine what it would be like to reconnect with an old friend by email or by phone, and they asked people to do one or the other at random. Although people thought that a phone call would be more mortifying, it actually made the experience better. “People reported they did form a stronger bond with their old friends on the phone versus email, and they did not feel uncomfortable,” co-author Amit Kumar said.
In another experiment, researchers had strangers connect by texting, talking over video chat, or talking using only audio (音频). They found that both forms of voice communication — whether video or audio only — made the strangers feel more connected than when they communicated via text.
Sabrina Romanoff, a psychologist, says people tend to text instead of calling because of convenience, as they can organize information exactly in the way they intend without unexpected additions by the other person.
Romanoff says that in reality, texting can make it hard to determine the true meaning behind a conversation. “A phone call is actually more convenient considering the effects of the message,” she explains. “Each part is more present, and therefore, it is able to figure out the meaning behind the conversation quickly without thinking on the endless possible meanings behind words.”
1. What does the underlined word “mortifying” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Puzzling. | B．Exciting. | C．Embarrassing. | D．Satisfying. |
| A．It takes more patience. | B．It brings people closer. |
| C．It proves more relaxing. | D．It makes people more friendly. |
| A．They can make themselves clear without being disturbed. |
| B．They would easily keep the messages for future use. |
| C．They can freely express their good or bad feelings. |
| D．They would avoid some unpleasant topics. |
| A．It is easy to express one’s meaning through texting. |
| B．It is necessary to guess the meaning behind words. |
| C．People can understand each other more easily by phone calls. |
| D．People should use simple words to express themselves in emails. |
A first-of-its-kind elevated steel pedestrian walkway system
The project forms part of a larger redevelopment of the area, which also saw
The walkway consists of six basic deck components
The walkway has a consistent 1:16 gradient (坡度), which enables barrier-free access along its entire length. This was an important
An organization has taken measures
Chopstick culture in Shanghai
After opening as a commercial port, Shanghai is proud of
At present, at least 1.8 billion people use chopsticks worldwide. Chopsticks, though small, serve as
For me, education has three main o
8 . Would a person born blind, who has learned to distinguish objects by touch, be able to recognize them purely by sight if he regained the ability to see? The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.
After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.
The researchers also did the opposite test with untrained bumblebees, first teaching them with rewards in the dark and then testing them in the light. Again, the bees were able to recognize the shape associated with the sugar reward, though they had to rely on sight rather than touch in the test. In short, bees have solved Molyneux’s problem because the fact suggests that they can picture object features and access them through sight or touch.
However, some experts express their warning s against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.
1. What is Molyneux’s problem about?| A．Whether mankind’s sense of touch outweighs sight. |
| B．Whether mankind’s idea of shape is inborn or learned. |
| C．Whether blind people can identify the shape of an item. |
| D．Whether the blind can regain their sense of touch after recovery. |
| A．By experimentation on blind children. |
| B．By conducting controlled experiments. |
| C．By rewarding bumblebees with sugar. |
| D．By observing bumblebees in their nests. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Supportive. |
| C．Dismissive. | D．Ambiguous. |
| A．Scientists Found Senses Matter |
| B．Visual-Tactile Puzzle Has Been Solved |
| C．Experiments Will Help the Blind Regain Sight |
| D．Bumblebees May Help Solve Molyneux’s Problem |
9 . From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, below are London’s most visited tourist attractions. Many of London’s top attractions are free, making them affordable places to learn about some culture. Whether you prefer history or modern art, you’ll find it at one of these must-visit spots.
British Museum
The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times, from around the world. The most interesting and exciting parts include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Some exhibitions require tickets.
National Gallery
The greatest and most beautiful building of Trafalgar Square, London’s National Gallery is a vast space filled with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. In this impressive art gallery you can find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Coca-Cola London Eye
The Coca-Cola London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It has some of London’s best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tons and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with an unforgettable view of more than 55 of London’s most famous landmarks — all in just 30 minutes!
Madame Tussauds
At Madame Tussauds, you’ll come face-to-face with some of the world’s most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga you’ll meet influential figures from show business, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to One Direction or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.
1. What do the British Museum and the National Gallery have in common?| A．Both exhibit modern and contemporary art. |
| B．Both are on the banks of the Thames. |
| C．Both have vast spaces and special shapes. |
| D．Both have chargeable exhibitions. |
| A．the Coca-Cola London Eye | B．the British Museum |
| C．the National Gallery | D．the Tate Modern |
| A．enjoy Shakespeare’s works | B．see figures of many influential people |
| C．watch Lady Gaga’s performance | D．talk to some famous people |
This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.
The world is facing many crises,
If current trends continue, more than 342 million women will
Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make
Investing in women and championing gender equality boosts a future
