1 . Elon Musk isn’t content with electric cars, shooting people into orbit and populating Mars. He also wants to get inside your brain.
His goal is to develop devices that can provide treatment to neural (神经的) diseases and that may one day be powerful enough to put humanity on an equal footing with possible future super intelligent computers.
Not that it’s anywhere close to that yet.
In a video Friday obviously aimed at seeking new employees, Musk showed off the second version of the Neuralink, a device about the size of a large coin. It’s designed to be put in a person’s head. An earlier version of the device has to be placed behind an ear like a huge hearing aid.
But the young company is far from having a commercial product, which would involve complex human trials and governmental approval. Friday’s video showed three pigs. One, named Gertrude, had a Neuralink device in its brain.
Musk, a founder of both the electric car company Tesla Motors and the space-exploration firm SpaceX, has always been worried about that smarter AI machines will outwit humans. His solution? Link our brains to computers so we can keep up with or even win over them in intelligence!
Musk urged coders (程序员), engineers and especially people who have actually created a product to apply. “You don’t need to have brain experience,” he said, adding that this is something that can be learned on the job.
Connecting a brain up directly to electronics is not new. Doctors have already put similar devices in brains to treat such conditions as Parkinson’s disease. In 2016, researchers reported that a man regained some movement in his own hand with a similar brain implant. But Musk’s proposal goes beyond this. Neuralink wants to build on those existing medical treatments and work on devices that could link our brains to computers one day.
1. What can we learn about the first version of the Neuralink?| A．It is smaller than a hearing aid. |
| B．It can be put in a person’s head. |
| C．It has to be placed behind the ear. |
| D．It is already available at the market. |
| A．copy | B．defeat | C．understand | D．destroy |
| A．Someone who also wants to create the same device. |
| B．Doctors who already know how to treat brain diseases. |
| C．People who have already designed some unique products. |
| D．Engineers who are good at linking brains to computers. |
| A．An advertisement. | B．A test report. |
| C．A science fiction novel. | D．A news report. |
2 . Several weeks ago, I pulled an old road map out of the glove box and passed it to my children. They had never seen the province of Ontario laid out like that before. They stared at the map, asking about all the towns, parks, and other landmarks we’d visited, and I pointed them out on the map.
Digital maps and GPS are modern wonders that have gotten me out of many confusing places, but paper maps still have a role to play in our lives. Most of us adults learned to read them out of necessity, but it’s up to us to pass on that skill to children whose need may not be so obvious, but who still will benefit from it.
As Trevor Muir wrote in an article on this topic, “When kids learn how to create and use paper maps, they are doing more than just learning how to get around. They are actually developing a fundamental skill that they will use for the rest of their lives. Map skill still belong in today’s classroom.”
As a child, I had National Geographic Maps taped to my bedroom walls. This aroused my curiosity and imagination about those places and thus made me eager to remember my geography and history lessons because they were tied to places I’d “seen”. Even now as a mother of four, I’ve also spared time to travel to many of the countries whose maps I studied as a child.
Additionally, in this fast-changing world, unexpected events can rapidly influence one’s usual way of life. When GPS satellites or Internet connections are affected, this old-fashioned skill can get you out of a mess without requiring a smartphone. Last but not least, paper maps arouse big picture thinking, showing kids that there’s a much bigger world out there and helping to direct them within it.
So, now is a good time to pull out those dusty old maps and lay them on the kitchen table.
1. How did the children react when they were given the paper map?| A．They showed great curiosity. |
| B．They seemed totally confused. |
| C．They found it less convenient than GPS. |
| D．They refused to read it without hesitation. |
| A．Neutral. | B．Negative. | C．Supportive. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Paper maps are already out of date. |
| B．Internet connections are always reliable. |
| C．Paper maps provide kids with a grand vision. |
| D．GPS will sooner or later replace paper maps. |
| A．Time to Encourage Kids to Explore a Real World |
| B．How to Teach Kids to Survive in the Wild |
| C．How to Teach Kids to Recognize Strange Places |
| D．Time to Teach Kids to Read Paper Maps |
3 . According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, the number of solar panels installed(安装)has grown rapidly in the past decade, and it has to grow even faster to meet climate goals. But all of that growth will take up a lot of space, and though more and more people accept the concept of solar energy, few like large solar panels to be installed near them.
Solar developers want to put up panels as quickly and cheaply as possible, so they haven’t given much thought to what they put under them. Often, they’ll end up filling the area with small stones and using chemicals to control weeds. The result is that many communities, especially in farming regions, see solar farms as destroyers of the soil.
“Solar projects need to be good neighbors,” says Jordan Macknick, the head of the Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment(InSPIRE)project. “They need to be protectors of the land and contribute to the agricultural economy.” InSPIRE is investigating practical approaches to “low-impact” solar development, which focuses on establishing and operating solar farms in a way that is kinder to the land. One of the easiest low-impact solar strategies is providing habitat for pollinators(传粉昆虫).
Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have caused dramatic declines in pollinator populations over the past couple of decades, which has damaged the U.S. agricultural economy. Over 28 states have passed laws related to pollinator habitat protection and pesticide use. Conservation organizations put out pollinator-friendliness guidelines for home gardens, businesses, schools, cities—and now there are guidelines for solar farms.
Over the past few years, many solar farm developers have transformed the space under their solar panels into a shelter for various kinds of pollinators, resulting in soil improvement and carbon reduction. “These pollinator-friendly solar farms can have a valuable impact on everything that’s going on in the landscape,” says Macknick.
1. What do solar developers often ignore?| A．The decline in the demand for solar energy. |
| B．The negative impact of installing solar panels. |
| C．The rising labor cost of building solar farms. |
| D．The most recent advances in solar technology. |
| A．Improve the productivity of local farms. |
| B．Invent new methods for controlling weeds. |
| C．Make solar projects environmentally friendly. |
| D．Promote the use of solar energy in rural areas. |
| A．To conserve pollinators. | B．To restrict solar development. |
| C．To diversify the economy. | D．To ensure the supply of energy. |
| A．Pollinators: To Leave or to Stay | B．Solar Energy: Hope for the Future |
| C．InSPIRE: A Leader in Agriculture | D．Solar Farms: A New Development |
4 . It is easy to get carried away in an argument.
While having a rational conversation with someone who has a different opinion might seem like a challenge, it is possible. One way is to approach the other person with empathy.
The Empathy Challenge is an exercise created by Zoe Chance, senior lecturer at the Yale School of Management. At Yale, Chance teaches a course called “Mastering Influence and Persuasion” where students learn to communicate more effectively.
In her blog, Chance explains that it’s important to listen to people who disagree with you. “As they explain their position, you listen for their underlying values. Finally, you look for common ground as you reflect those values back. That’s it.”
Chance first took this challenge herself before asking her students to try. As she couldn’t understand why many people chose to vote for Donald Trump, she found three Trump’s voters and spoke with them.
Through asking questions, Chance was able to empathize with them and realize they had similar feelings. One man, an Orthodox Jew, explained that he supported Trump because Trump’s daughter and son-in-law are Jewish. The next man was a Russian immigrant passionate about freedom. The third was a lawyer who believed that authenticity (真诚) was important in political leaders.
Although Chance and Chose people had different political beliefs, they were able to relate to the life values of others. And that’s the point of the exercise-to understand others as fellow human beings.
1. Which of the following does the Empathy Challenge faces on?| A．Leadership skills. | B．Public speaking skills. |
| C．Communication skills. | D．Problem solving skills. |
| A．Defend their position. | B．Find common ground. |
| C．Reflect on their own values. | D．Meet the needs of others. |
| A．Their life values. | B．Their career history. |
| C．Their family background. | D．Their childhood experience. |
| A．Respect different perspectives | B．Zoe Chance’s empathy |
| C．Vote for Trump | D．Chancels challenge |
5 . Slow down and take some time to explore the world and nourish your soul and brain by traveling.
Little Trains of the Pyrenees
Eight days from £1,049 per person—from May to September 2022
Enjoy the slow journey on the incredible Roses Express. Step aboard the Yellow Train in the Pyrenees. Travel in style on the Núria Valley Rack Railway. Relax on board the Red Train in the Pyrenees.
Includes
● Return by Eurostar from London to Paris
● Seven nights’ half board accommodation in Roses
Please note
The deposit (订金) of the room: £275
Scottish Highland Railways
Five days from £576 per person—from April to October 2022
Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery as you enjoy journeys on three of Scotland’s most celebrated railways.
Includes
● Four nights’ dinner and bed, and Scottish breakfast accommodation at the Carrbridge Hotel
● Return flights to Scotland
Lake Como, St. Moritz & the Bernina Express
Eight days from £959 per person—from May to October 2022
Take one of the world’s great railway journeys to Switzerland’s most celebrated holiday hideaway. Spend a week on the shores of Lake Como and enjoy its elegant villas and glorious gardens—which have inspired artists and writers for generations.
Includes
● Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel
● A ride on the Bernina Express
● Return flights to Milan
● Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
1. How much does a couple pay at most for a journey to the Pyrenees?| A．£2,648. | B．£1,918. | C．£1,427. | D．£2,373. |
| A．The Carrbridge Hotel. | B．The Núria Valley Rack Railway. |
| C．The Bernina Express to St. Moritz. | D．Villas and gardens near Lake Como. |
| A．They are all available in October. | B．They all design train-riding trips. |
| C．They all provide free accommodation. | D．They all include air tickets to the destination. |
6 . Lego is considering a brick(积木)rental plan in an attempt to cut down on plastic waste.The Danish toymaker has promised to make all its bricks from sustainable(可持续的)materials by 2030 and is investing significant resources in finding alternatives.
Tim Brooks,vice-president responsible for sustainability,said the company was“totally open”to the idea of the product rental plan but admitted that lost pieces could produce a significant problem.“What are the chances of giving them to an eight-year-old child and getting them all back again?”Mr.Brooks added.
“There is a lot of technical thinking that needs to be done. We are right at the beginning.” Mr. Brooks said Lego was exploring several ideas with a view to producing the highest value from products while consuming the fewest resources. He said many would “probably never see the light of day”and that there is no current plan to try out the rental plan.
Lego has come under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint for growing international alarm about the impact of plastic waste on the environment.It produces 19 billion pieces per year—36,000 a minute—that are made entirely of plastic while much of the inside packaging is also plastic.
So far,the only breakthrough has been the development of a line of bricks made of plant-based plastic sourced from sugarcane.The green trees,plants and flowers were first included in Lego sets late last year but currently make up only 1%— 2% of total plastic elements produced.Henrik Nielson,a production supervisor(主管)in Lego’s factory,said last year:“We need to learn again how to do this.”
Lego reportedly releases around a million tons of carbon dioxide each year, with about 75% coming from raw materials that go into factories. The company has invested more than 100,000,000 euros and hired 100 people to research non-plastic alternatives.It is aiming to keep all of its packaging out of landfill by 2025.
1. What is Lego making great efforts for?| A．promote its brick rental plan | B．explore ways to reduce plastic waste |
| C．raise its production efficiency | D．develop new products |
| A．It is well under way. | B．It is totally useless. |
| C．It has a long way to go. | D．It goes against Lego’s interests. |
| A．By means of comparison. | B．By means of examples. |
| C．By means of figures. | D．By means of classification. |
| A．Defensive. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Disapproving. | D．Determined. |
7 . A recent study by a group of researchers found that there is a link between happiness and a term that the researchers coined called “relational diversity.”
Using public data from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the World Health Organization, the researchers were able to analyze data sets and survey responses from people who had shared their daily habits, schedules and interactions. They noticed a clear relationship between relational diversity and overall levels of satisfaction.
Hanne Collins, a Harvard Business School doctoral student who co-authored the study, says that relational diversity is composed of two elements: richness and evenness.
Richness measures relationship categories, or how many kinds of people you interact with in a day. That could be your romantic partner, a family member, a neighbor or a stranger. “The more relationship categories they talk to in a day and the more even their conversations are across those categories, the happier they are. And we find this in a large sample across many countries,” Collins said.
Evenness relates to the distribution of conversations among those different relationship categories. Some people may find themselves interacting with colleagues at work more than, say, their family members. “If you have a few conversations with colleagues, a few with friends, a few with a romantic partner or a couple chats with strangers, thats going to be more even across these categories,” Collins explained.
Ultimately, Collins says, the study gives insight to the idea that humans are social creatures at heart. Having a support system is important, but it goes beyond your inner circle. “Its about this mix. Its about connecting with people who are close to you, who are maybe less close to you, who connect you with other people, who provide different kinds of support,” she said. “Essentially, the idea is that the more diverse your social portfolio (社交档案), the happier you are and the higher your well-being.”
Next time you consider striking up a conversation with a stranger in line at the grocery store or while waiting at the coffee shop, keep in mind that it might be beneficial to your well-being.
1. How does the author explain the term “relational diversity”?| A．By listing statistics. | B．By making comparison. |
| C．By giving definitions and examples. | D．By describing the process. |
| A．A person who interacts most with his family members. |
| B．A person who communicates frequently with his friends. |
| C．A person who seldom strikes up conversations with strangers. |
| D．A person who has ever conversations with many different people. |
| A．Researchers came up with a new concept. |
| B．It shows that a support system is not necessary. |
| C．Researchers collected data by conducting experiments. |
| D．It was led by a doctoral student from Harvard Business School. |
| A．Neutral. | B．Skeptical. |
| C．Opposed. | D．Approving. |
8 . In 2013, Gabby Frost founded Buddy Project when she was 15. At that time her best friend had been diagnosed (诊断) with a mental health condition, and that was the first time she was made aware of what mental illness was. She wanted to learn more and develop a good support system for her.
Mental illness affects tens of millions of people in the United States each year, yet only half receive treatment, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Buddy Project’s website says the service is not a substitute for therapy or other types of mental health care, and that it directs people to resources for further help.
Since founding the organization as a high school student, Frost has helped more than 200,000 participants find a new friend. On the day when Buddy Project was launched, she used her powerful social media presence to attract nearly 3,000 participants. “This was around the time when teens really began talking about mental health and found a supportive community online to talk about it,” she said.
One of the biggest social barriers she had to jump over was that people didn’t view her seriously because she was a 15-year-old girl, and even now, she’s still a young woman. “Sometimes it’s frustrating because people don’t think what I do is needed or they don’t think I’m professional,” she said. “Most people are blown away that a 20-year-old girl is running this and that it’s one person doing this but not a whole team. I’m just lucky that I’ve found a support system that has been able to help my mum and me with the project.”
1. Why did Gabby Frost set up Buddy Project?| A．To treat her mental disease. |
| B．To know what causes mental illness. |
| C．To help her friend to fight the mental disease. |
| D．To cure those with mental illness. |
| A．Americans pay little attention to mental health. |
| B．Many Americans have trouble with mental health. |
| C．Buddy Project provides financial aid for patients. |
| D．Buddy Project can cure those with mental illness. |
| A．She couldn’t get support from her mother. |
| B．She couldn’t help so many patients at a time. |
| C．She wasn’t able to attract enough participants. |
| D．She wasn’t thought well of because of her age. |
| A．Completely defeated. | B．Totally convinced. |
| C．Strongly impressed. | D．Fully satisfied. |
9 . I was never very neat while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but my always hid somewhere. She even labeled (贴标签) everything. I always looked for everything. Overtime, Kate got neater and I got my merriser. She moved to push my dirty clothing over and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
Who broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming, “Take your shoes away! why under my bed!” Suddenly I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up. She quickly crawled (爬) under her covers, crying. Obviously. that was something she could not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy (同情) rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bad. Cleaned the suckers and swept the floor even on her side. I got so absorbed into my work that I even didn’t notice Kate had sat up. She was watching. Her tears dried and her expression was such disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me. “Thanks.”
Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn’t always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in, cleaning up and holding on.
1. What made Kate so angry one evening?| A．She couldn’t find her books. |
| B．She heard the writer shouting loud. |
| C．She got the news that her grandma was ill. |
| D．She saw the writer’s shoes beneath her bed. |
| A．Because she was scared by Kate’s anger. |
| B．Because she hated herself for being so messy. |
| C．Because she wanted to show her care. |
| D．Because she was asked by Kate to do so. |
| A．By analyzing courses. |
| B．By showing differences. |
| C．By describing a process. |
| D．By following time order. |
| A．My Friend Kate. |
| B．Hard Work Pays off. |
| C．How to Be Organized? |
| D．Learning to Be Roommates. |
10 . Sports day! These two words can inspire both joy and terror in the hearts of students everywhere. For many, sports day can be a great day of fun and the chance to bag a prize or two.
Today, more and more schools have recognized the importance of exercise.
However, some people feel that it’s important that sport has winners and that learning to lose is just as important as learning how to win.
There are lots of people who agree with the idea—parents in particular! According to a 2017 survey by Families Online, 82% of parents say they prefer “traditional” competitive sports days.
People have different ideas about whether it is the winning or the taking part that counts when it comes to school sports days. So, should School Sports Day be competitive or not? We want to know your ideas.
| A．What’s the point if no one wins? |
| B．Should sport just be about winning? |
| C．Many of them have “non-competitive” sports days. |
| D．Everyone should be celebrated for trying and playing their part. |
| E．Many adults are worried that their kids can get injured when doing sports. |
| F．For others, it might feel like having to take part in something they aren’t good at. |
| G．Many adults feel that children can learn valuable lessons in both winning and losing. |
