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. |
2 . 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. |
3 . 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 |
4 . 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. |
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
6 . Exploring China is not easy even for experienced travelers, but the history instructor Jessica Gerard from Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) knows from experience the trip is worth it. Since 2008, she’s led five groups of students across China to study its culture and history.
Gerard often reminds interested students that the trip is not a vacation—it’s an academic (学术的) course. “Anyone interested in the trip must take an online course about the history of China before they can go,” she said. “And, most importantly, students continue to learn while in China. They’re expected to listen to guides, keep a diary and write about their experiences afterward.”
OTC student Ross Weis believed his experiences in China easily transcended (超越) anything he could have learned in the classroom. In fact, it was his long-held interest in China that led him to ask about the trip after seeing a poster in the OTC library. “I’ve always been drawn to China and its rich culture and history,” Weis said. “My dad studied history in college, and I suppose that has some influence on me.”
Of all the cities and historical sites Weis visited, he said nothing could top his experience at the Great Wall. “I’d read about the Great Wall and seen it on TV, but it is so different to go there and actually experience it,” he said. “It wasn’t as worn as I had expected it to be. That was pretty cool.”
Every OTC group Gerard has taken to China has been led by her trusty tourist agent, Jim Lieu. Gerard plans her trips directly through Lieu, who keeps travel costs down for students. “Lieu and I have an excellent relationship with one another. He always knows what I want for my students, and I know what he can do,” said Gerard. “He sincerely believes that in order to build stronger communities and a better world, people around the world should get to know each other through travel.”
1. Why did Gerard organize travel to China for her students?A.To help students relax after exams. | B.To get students interested in travel. |
C.To teach history in a productive way. | D.To give an interesting life experience. |
A.Take a course online. | B.Consult a native guide. |
C.Show their anxiety. | D.Share their preparation. |
A.His passion for travel. | B.His interest in China. |
C.His teacher’s invitation. | D.His father’s inspiration. |
A.Brave. | B.Patient. | C.Helpful. | D.Humorous. |
7 . Diving in the ocean, marine biologist Erika Woolsey has seen how coral reefs (珊瑚礁) are being damaged by climate change. It has made her decide to find a way to share her experience —including those who can’t easily explore the ocean.
Through her non-profit, The Hydrous, Woolsey is using virtual reality to bring the ocean to everyone. Scientists, filmmakers and divers are taking people on immersive (沉浸式的) virtual dives, attracting attention to reef damage and expecting action to protect our sea. About 25% of marine species depend on coral reefs. However, climate change, pollution and overfishing have done harm to around half the world’s shallow water coral reefs.
Twenty years of underwater exploration has given Woolsey a detailed understanding of the dangerous situations facing reefs. “I’ve seen this first-hand shift. Healthy colourful coral reefs become what look like the moonscape step by step,” Woolsey says.
It is through this experience that The Hydrous team set out to recreate with their award-winning film Immerse. Intended to watch with a VR headset, viewers join Woolsey for a nine-minute guided virtual div e on the coral reefs, immersed in a 360-degree underwater view.
They swim alongside sea turtles and sharks before witnessing the worsening of the reefs. The experience often brings out strong feelings. “As soon as people take off that headset and look me in the eye, they want to tell me a story about their ocean experience,” Woolsey says. “It’s that human connection to our ocean that will solve our ocean problems.”
Woolsey hopes advances in camera technology will allow her team to take more and more people to places in the ocean that are underexplored and places further away from human civilization. They are developing a virtual experience that will put the people in the role of a marine biologist, carrying out biodiversity surveys underwater, and even transporting the viewers to space to monitor global sea surface temperatures.
1. Why did Erika Woolsey set up The Hydrous?A.To collect money for ocean protection. |
B.To let the public know about coral reefs better. |
C.To help people enjoy the ocean’s beauty. |
D.To encourage people to protect the ocean. |
A.change. | B.experience. |
C.material. | D.scene. |
A.The story about the ocean. | B.The situation of coral reefs. |
C.The connection with sea life. | D.The way to protect the ocean. |
A.To bring more fun during the lockdown. |
B.To train talents for environment protection. |
C.To help people learn more about the ocean. |
D.To discover more places that need protection. |
8 . The cotton harvest is about to get underway in the Texas High Plains, the windswept region that grows most of the crop in the nation’s top cotton-producing state. But Barry Evans, a third-generation cotton grower, has already walked away from more than 2,000 acres (英亩) of his bone-dry fields. “It just didn’t come up. We hardly had anything,” said Evans.
Extreme heat and a lack of rainfall have severely damaged much of this year’s cotton harvest in the U.S., which produces about 35% of the world’s crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast that more than 40% of what U.S. farmers planted in the spring would be abandoned because of drought. Nowhere is this more apparent than the flat, dry stretch of Texas. The USDA says Texas cotton farmers are likely to abandon nearly 70% of their spring planting. That has been the worst harvest since 2009.
The region normally receives around 18 to 20 inches of rain per year, but saw less than three inches of rain from August through the summer, as nearly all of Texas baked under drought. Much of the cotton grown in the region needs rain. Even those with irrigated (灌溉的) fields are expecting low yields (产量) this year.
The losses in cotton could cost the Texas High Plains $1.2 billion after farmers receive federal (联邦的) crop insurance payments, estimates Darren Hudson, director of the International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness at Texas Tech University. That leaves out others who depend on the crop, such as cotton gins (轧棉机) and storehouses. “Any time you have a bad year in cotton, it has a role to play in the overall economy,” Hudson said.
Fortunately, most cotton farmers in this part of Texas plan to use cotton seed varieties that can resist drought. Varieties are continuously developed and will be adjusted to generate high yields if dry conditions continue. “Even though it’s drought resistant,” Hudson added, “we still have to have a little bit of help from Mother Nature.”
1. What are the statistics in paragraph 2 mainly about?A.The impact of extreme weather on U.S. farmers. |
B.The world’s cotton distribution. |
C.USDA’s measures to address drought. |
D.The amount of U.S. cotton harvest in 2009. |
A.Texas is unfriendly to cotton farmers. | B.Cotton is vital to the American economy. |
C.Farmers depend much on Mother Nature. | D.Cotton gins are unaffected by cotton losses. |
A.Build effective irrigation systems. | B.Apply for federal crop insurance. |
C.Switch to growing a different crop. | D.Use further improved cotton seeds. |
A.Drought pushes cotton prices to a new high. | B.The world’s cotton supply keeps falling. |
C.Texas cotton takes a hit during drought. | D.Drought impacts the quality of cotton. |
9 . 阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
At first glance, the words alligator, bedroom, eyeball, gossip, hurry, and kissing may not have anything obvious in common,
More than four centuries after his death in 1616, Shakespeare’s plays remain
The collection of Shakespeare’s plays
10 . Dragons, a famous imaginary beast born from fantasy, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical abilities. However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there exist significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, particularly in China.
Chinese dragons most resemble snakes, and have four claws and no wings. They often have features of other animals, including carp, tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.
In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is a symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine (神圣的) creatures, which hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes. Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to themselves as “descendants of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They are believed to be transformed by the devil, with the ability to breathe fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.
Today, dragons continue to evolve, exceeding traditional boundaries and finding new significance in global culture. They are no longer associated with evil or good, but rather as complex characters with their own unique personalities and motivations. For example, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon begins as a dangerous dragon but evolves into a misunderstood being with love and compassion. This challenges the idea of dragons as naturally evil, presenting them as complex beings with emotions and motivations.
1. What do western dragons and eastern dragons have in common?A.They have rough skin. | B.They are huge and powerful. |
C.They are in the shape of snakes. | D.They have big claws and wings. |
A.Western dragons are a symbol of authority. |
B.Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
C.Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
D.Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
A.They are regarded as adventurous creatures. |
B.They are closely associated with evil or good. |
C.They have more diverse emotions and personalities. |
D.They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
A.The Dragon Elements in Global Culture |
B.The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History |
C.The Magical Animals in Different Countries |
D.The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions |