1 . Google Flights reveals new feature to help travelers save money
Regular users of Google Flights might notice a new feature the next time they go to the site to check out airline schedules and compare flight prices.
The new feature officially announced on Monday morning in a news release is Google guidance on the cheapest time to book a flight, which adds price tracking alerts and a price guarantee option already in place.
Cheapest time to book: Google Flights said starting this week, searches that have reliable trend data will let users see in what time frame prices have typically been lowest. Users can then better decide whether to book now or later, Google said in the release.
Take flights from New York to Miami, for example, the cheapest time to book is usually from Sep 13 to Dec 7. Prices during this time are $59 cheaper on average.
Price tracking: Users who want to wait for lower fares before booking can use a price tracking feature that “can do most of the heavy lifting for you,” Google said.
Price guarantee: On some flight results, users might notice a price guarantee badge (标志) pop up (this won’t happen on every use). If you book one of these flights, Google said it will monitor the price every day before takeoff.
“If the price does go down, we’ll pay you back the difference via Google Pay. These price guarantees are part of a pilot program available for select Book on Google itineraries (行程) departing from the U. S.,” Google said in the release.
1. Which is the cheapest time to book a flight from New York to Miami?A.August 19. | B.September 20. | C.December 8. | D.January 11. |
A.Get your money back. | B.Pay back the difference. |
C.Monitor the price before flights take off. | D.Make sure you can get the cheapest flight. |
A.Science. | B.Entertainment. | C.Travel. | D.Education. |
Facial recognition technology,
At a digital monitoring center of the Yellow River Delta national nature reserve in Dongying, Shandong province, a variety of data is on display on a large screen, showing the real-time situations of
The monitoring platform takes advantage of information technologies such as big data, remote sensing and artificial intelligence
The use of science and technology plays
3 . The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 was awarded to three American scientists Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and development of quantum (量子) dots”. They are so tiny that their size determines their properties. These smallest components of nano (纳米) technology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove cancer tissue, among many other things.
Everyone who studies chemistry learns that an element’s properties are governed by how many electrons (电子) it has. However, when matter contracts to nano-dimensions quantum phenomena arise; these are governed by the size of the matter. The Nobel winners in Chemistry 2023 have succeeded in producing particles so small that their properties are determined by quantum phenomena. The particles, which are generally known as quantum dots by scientists, are now of great importance in nanotechnology.
“Quantum dots have many fascinating and unusual properties. Importantly, they have different colours depending on their size,” says Johan Åqvist, Chai r of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.
Physicists had long known that in theory size-dependent quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles, but at that time it was almost impossible to sculpture in nanodimensions. Therefore, few people believed that this knowledge would be put to practical use.
However, in the early 1980s, Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass. The colour came from nanoparticles of copper chloride (氯化铜) and Ekimov demonstrated that the particle size affected the colour of the glass via quantum effects. A few years later, Louis Brus was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a liquid. In 1993, Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles. This high quality was necessary for them to be used in applications.
Quantum dots are thus bringing the greatest benefit to humankind. Researchers believe that in the future they could contribute to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and quantum communication — so we have just started exploring the potential of these tiny particles.
1. Why was the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 awarded to 3 American scientists?A.They discovered quantum size. | B.They discovered nanotechnology. |
C.They discovered quantum effects. | D.They discovered and improved quantum dots. |
A.Quantum dots. | B.Spots. | C.Atoms. | D.Grains. |
A.Moungi Bawendi. | B.Louis Brus. | C.Alexei Ekimov. | D.Johan Åqvist. |
A.Innovation is the most important thing. |
B.Practice is the only criterion for testing truth. |
C.The development of science and technology is endless. |
D.Technology from quantum dots is constantly improving. |
4 . In the late 19th century, there was a poor farmer in Scotland named Fleming. He was
This story tells us that the simple and kind Scottish farmer’s
A.determined | B.kind | C.anxious | D.disappointed |
A.working | B.drinking | C.regretting | D.weeping |
A.figured out | B.pointed out | C.worked out | D.turned out |
A.leg | B.ankle | C.chest | D.foot |
A.managed | B.tried | C.decided | D.hoped |
A.bicycle | B.car | C.carriage | D.truck |
A.recommended | B.introduced | C.treated | D.served |
A.in honor of | B.in favor of | C.in exchange for | D.in return for |
A.felt | B.announced | C.declared | D.sworn |
A.happened | B.seemed | C.followed | D.appeared |
A.son | B.farmer | C.parent | D.witness |
A.demand | B.suggestion | C.decision | D.plan |
A.spread | B.promote | C.obtain | D.continue |
A.clearly | B.eventually | C.interestingly | D.unexpectedly |
A.world-famous | B.good-looking | C.easy-going | D.hard-working |
A.energetic | B.extraordinary | C.countless | D.unbelievable |
A.approach | B.behavior | C.anecdote | D.manner |
A.receiving | B.sending | C.reporting | D.seeking |
A.defeated | B.recognized | C.cured | D.adopted |
A.commonly | B.necessarily | C.especially | D.actually |
5 . Here are some ways to introduce classical music to your children.
●When you read a story to your children, pick out a classical music piece that matches the emotion of the book.
●If your kids are always moving around, try introducing classical music to them by dancing. Instruct your children to listen to the music and dance however the music makes them feel. Parents dance with them!
●Before your kids begin playtime, make a list of classical music pieces with the name of the person who wrote it.
●
●You can pick out three pieces of music to play during the week.
A.Have your children pick one. |
B.Practice reading the story out loud with the music. |
C.Mix up the music and see how your children react. |
D.Classical music can be fun, and not boring to listen to. |
E.Tell your children the name of the piece every time you play it. |
F.Make sure you tell your children what the piece is and who wrote it. |
G.While you and your children paint, play different classical music pieces. |
6 . Teaching your children about world cultures helps them appreciate the differences in people and their traditions.
Create a Passport
International travel requires a passport, so start your foreign adventures by creating a passport. Help her make a small book to serve as her passport.
Learn Cultural Customs
What we might do in our home country isn’t necessarily appropriate in other countries. Learning about each culture’s customs can be important for you both.
Teach the Language
Learning a foreign language is fun for children.
Celebrate Holidays
Decorate your home as you would find streets, businesses and other houses for their observed holidays. Celebrate national holidays just as people in that country do. For example, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom observe Boxing Day. The holiday’s tradition includes giving money and donations to organizations and people in need.
A.You celebrate it with fireworks. |
B.The pages should be blank on the inside. |
C.Pointing your feet in Thailand is offensive. |
D.Take them to a heritage and cultural centre when you are free. |
E.When you’re exploring world cultures, study each country’s official language. |
F.To celebrate, the two of you can box some canned goods for the local food bank. |
G.Put down the textbook and travel around the globe without ever needing a suitcase. |
7 . What have humans done to deserve dogs? They greet us when we come home, comfort us when we’re sad and generally act as loyal companions.
Now, researchers are investigating whether tumors (肿瘤) in dogs may help treat tumors in humans. In early April, the Jackson Laboratory began collecting samples of canine (犬的) tumors. Cells from these tumors inserted into mice could help test new drugs and improve our understanding about how cancer develops and progresses.
Although cancer results from many factors, genes play a critical role. That means the genetic makeup of a tumor can help determine which drugs work against it. So having a broad and diverse pool of genetic makeups increases the chances of finding the right way to attack each disease. This thinking is particularly relevant for rare cancers and rare mutations (突变). Drawing from a larger pool means more genetic mutations to research.
And using tumors from dogs is a nearly ideal way to widen that pool. They’re exposed to many of the same environmental factors that might cause cancer in their owners, notes Dr. Christopher Fulkerson. Some bone and brain cancers are far more common in dogs than they are in people, making samples easier to find.
In many cases, the cells in a dog’s cancer look and act the same as they would in a human. They can even carry the same genetic mutations. However, not all canine cancers will be particularly helpful for human-focused research. For some types, the similarities between human and dog diseases will be significant. But when they aren’t, warns Dr. Jaime Modiano, the differences could have serious consequences for drug development.
But even when the research doesn’t advance knowledge of human cancers, it could still help improve the treatment of dogs diagnosed (确诊) with cancer. That's the least we can do for our faithful friends.
1. What are the purposes of collecting canine tumors?A.To help design new drugs. |
B.To better understand cancer. |
C.To prove dogs are our faithful friends. |
D.To show cancer results from many factors. |
A.Many dogs have bone and brain cancers. |
B.Dogs and their owners are good companions. |
C.Dogs and their owners have similar living conditions and cancer types. |
D.Using tumors from dogs can help determine which drugs work better. |
A.It’s useless to study cancers from dogs. |
B.Studies on cancers from dogs will bring harmful results. |
C.Cancers from dogs may not be helpful for fighting human cancers. |
D.Some similarities between human and dog diseases are significant. |
A.Unconcerned. | B.Doubtful. |
C.Pessimistic. | D.Optimistic. |
8 . Harvard University’s Claudia Goldi n has won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics for her research on women in the labor market. She studies the changing role of working women through the centuries, and the causes of the consistent pay gap between men and women. The award comes with a prize of about $1 million. Goldi n is the third woman to receive the prize.
“Claudia Goldin’s discoveries have vast society significance,” said Randi Hjalmarsson, a member of the Nobel committee. “She has shown us that the nature of this problem or the source of these possible or underlying gender gap s changes throughout history and with the course of development.”
Goldin’s research showed that women’s role in the job market has not moved in a straight line, but has risen and fallen with social regulations and women’s own ideas about their prospects in the workplace and the home. Some of these ideas are shaped early in life and are slow to change.
“She can explain why the gender gap suddenly started to close in the 1980s and the surprising role of the birth control pill and changing expectation,” Hjalmarsson said. “And she can explain why the earnings gap has stopped closing today and the role of parenthood.”
Looking back the history of women in the workplace was easier said than done. The Nobel committee said Goldi n often had to deal with spotty records.
Women currently fill nearly half the jobs in the U. S. but typically earn less. They briefly outnumbered men on pay lists in late 2019 and early 2020, but women dropped out of the workforce in large numbers early in the pandemic (大流行病), and their ranks have only recently recovered.
Some forecasters think women’s role in the workplace will continue to grow as they pass men on college campuses and as service fields such as health care expand.
“Understanding women’s role in labor is important for society,” said Jakob Svensson, chair of the prize committee. “Thanks to Claudia Goldin’s groundbreaking research, we now know much more about the underlying factors and which barriers may need to be addressed in the future.”
1. Why was the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Goldin?A.She realized the importance of women in the labour market. |
B.She researched the changing role of working women for a long time. |
C.She found the causes of income inequality between men and women. |
D.She did pioneering studies on the role of women in the labour market. |
A.Organic. | B.Potential. | C.Fundamental. | D.Preferred. |
A.Parenthood played an important role. |
B.Women’s own ideas about work have improved. |
C.The income gap between men and women has been narrowed. |
D.Birth control pills and changes in expectation played an amazing role. |
A.Gender pay gap remains. |
B.Women employed had briefly outperformed men. |
C.Women’s role in the workplace will continue to grow. |
D.Many women pulled out of the workforce in the pandemic. |
Chinese drinking vessels (器皿) have kept evolving throughout the dynasties of China,
In Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, ancient China established itself a complete ceremony system.
Drinking wine was
Jingdezhen ceramics in Jiangxi Province
10 . Best Family Vacations in Europe
BarcelonaIn Barcelona, Gaudf’s art work is sure to impress adults and make children feel as if they’ve wandered into a fantasy land. Similarly, the street performances surprise audiences of all ages. Plus, families can always watch the FC Barcelona team play a soccer match at Camp Nou stadium.
ParisThe Eiffel Tower is sure to delight your children, whether you choose to take a lift to the top or see it at night. Nearby Disneyland Paris, whose fairy-tale setting leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, is also a popular attraction for those with little ones.
PragueKids will get a kick out of seeing the bizarre Dancing House, engaging with the interactive exhibits, and exploring Prague Castle. Meanwhile, parents will love the city’s rich cultural heritage (遗产) and reasonable prices. Because of its small size, Prague is an easily walkable city, which makes it perfect for those who want to save money on transportation.
LondonThis city attracts visitors young and old with its London Zoo, West End theatre district, London Eye and Platform 9³/₄ at King’s Cross Station, among other sights. Many of the top attractions offer guided tours, which are excellent ways for families to learn about London's history and culture.
From playing soccer in Barcelona to touring London Eye, Europe features activities for travelers of all ages and interests. If interested , click here to know more.
1. What do Barcelona and Paris have in common?A.They offer guided tours. |
B.They are known for sports stadiums. |
C.They bring children into a world of imagination. |
D.They share the experience of street performance. |
A.Barcelona. | B.Paris. | C.Prague. | D.London. |
A.On a website. | B.In a magazine. | C.In a history book. | D.In a travel journal. |