1 . We’ve all heard the age-old advice to drink eight cups of water a day. But if you fall short, don’t worry: That advice is probably wrong anyway. That’s according to new research. which found that for most healthy adults, there is no real benefit to drinking eight cups of water a day.
The advice to drink eight cups of water a day comes from a 1945 recommendation from the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, which encouraged adults to consume about 64 ounces of water daily. The recommendation referred to a person’s total daily intake of water, including from all their foods and drinks, but it was widely misinterpreted to mean that people should drink 8-ounce glasses of water every day.
To see how much water people really need, Herman Pontzer, a professor at Duke University and his co-authors analyzed data on 5,600 people. The participants were tracked with a gold-standard technique called “doubly labeled water”, which uses water laced with tracers that can be used to track the body’s production of carbon dioxide, allowing the researchers to get precise measurements of the participants’ daily energy consumption.
The researchers determined how much water the participants lost and replaced each day. a measurement known as water turnover (水周转率). They found that a person’s daily water turnover was largely determined by their size and their level of body fat, which contains less water than muscle and other organs. The more “fat-free” mass a person has, the more water they need.
The research showed that how much water you need changes over your lifetime. In general, our water needs peak between the ages of 20 and 50 and then decline in parallel with the slowing down of our metabolisms (新陈代谢).
So how much water should you drink? The answer is simple: Drink when you’re thirsty. Prioritize water, and try to avoid sugary drinks, which can cause metabolic problems. “If you’re paying attention to your body and drinking when you feel like you need to, then you should be fine,” Pontzer said.
1. What is the author’s attitude toward the advice to drink eight cups of water a day?A.Critical. | B.Supportive. | C.Tolerant. | D.Uncertain. |
A.It was conducted in 1945. |
B.It tracked participants’ daily water turnover. |
C.It studied participants’ feelings about drinking water. |
D.It found that body fat contains less water than muscle and other organs. |
A.When people get older, they should drink more water. |
B.Drinking 64 ounces of water per day is beneficial to people. |
C.When people have more muscles, they need relatively more water. |
D.Drinking water with sugar can help improve metabolism. |
A.By following the advice of experts. |
B.By drinking as much water as possible. |
C.By paying attention to one’s body and drinking when thirsty. |
D.By measuring one’s water turnover. |
2 . Art galleries you can visit for free with your Paris Pass
Centre Pompidou
Normally €7.00 Wednesday-Monday: 11 AM-10 PMCentre Pompidou is a must-see attraction when you’re visiting Paris. Featuring late 19th-20th century art, the museum has collection of over 50,000 works, including movements from Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.
Musée Gustave Moreau
Normally €13.00 Wednesday- Monday: 10 AM-6 PMMusée Gustave Moreau was designed by the painter himself and includes his private apartment and the large gallery he built to display his work. The apartment is preserved exactly as it was 100 years ago.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Normally €9.00 Wednesday-Monday: 9 AM-6 PMThe museum is best known for its association with the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet and his Water Lilies series of paintings. Before it was an art gallery housing some of the most famous pieces in history, Musée de l’Orangerie was used as a storehouse and a home for mobilized soldiers.
Musée d’Orsay
Normally €14.00 Tuesday-Sunday: 9:30 AM-6 PMMusée d’Orsay was an old turn-of-the-century railway station that was built on the site of the Palais d’Orsay. Exemplifying the architecture of the Beaux-Arts movement, Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’ most popular art galleries and houses art and sculpture from 1848 to 1915.
1. How much is the admission to Centre Pompidou without a Paris Pass?A.€7.00. | B.€9.00. | C.€13.00. | D.€14.00. |
A.Centre Pompidou. | B.Musée Gustave Moreau. |
C.Musée de l’Orangerie. | D.Musée d’Orsay. |
A.An art gallery. | B.A storehouse. |
C.A railway station. | D.A personal apartment. |
3 . A few years ago, the scientists Claudia Townsend at the University of Miami and Suzanne Shu at UCLA Anderson School of Management conducted a simple investigation into how aesthetics (美学) influence our investment decisions.
They randomly assigned 255 students to receive an annual corporate report. One of these reports was aesthetically pleasing —
If investors were rational agents, then the look of the report shouldn’t have mattered —they should be responding only to its content.
A.But it is not true. |
B.it had high-quality images and a clear layout. |
C.And this pattern doesn’t apply to other aspects. |
D.a phenomenon often referred to as “the halo effect”. (光环效应) |
E.When it comes to user assessments of design, function follow s form. |
F.While Townsend and Shu looked at paper reports, the same logic applies to Web sites. |
G.Actually, they are required to value the company based on the information in the annual report |
4 . By the age of 27, Vincent had made the most important decision of his life, to become an artist. He spent the years between 1880 and 1885 developing his
After the failure of his studies for the priesthood, Vincent didn’t want to
A.skills | B.relationship | C.personality | D.business |
A.cheap | B.empty | C.messy | D.dark |
A.treated | B.drew | C.followed | D.remembered |
A.give up | B.compromise on | C.turn down | D.succeed in |
A.study | B.choose | C.offer | D.teach |
A.strength | B.length | C.depth | D.width |
A.agent | B.painter | C.doctor | D.farmer |
A.sold | B.lent | C.helped | D.supported |
A.copying | B.taking | C.purchasing | D.using |
A.canvas | B.money | C.house | D.materials |
A.museum | B.country | C.gallery | D.ocean |
A.musician | B.guide | C.lawyer | D.artist |
A.continually | B.carefully | C.quickly | D.accurately |
A.image | B.memorize | C.observe | D.forget |
A.felt | B.recognized | C.moved | D.praised |
5 . Intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate strength calculations for the predicted earthquakes.
The research team believes their method succeeded because they stuck with a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.
This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earthquakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network Program (TexNet). “It’s a matter of milliseconds, and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70% accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”
While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other locations, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. The next step is to test artificial intelligence in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earthquake stations and over six years worth of continuous records, making it an ideal location for these purposes.
Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what moves science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.
1. What can be concluded from the passage?A.AI can predict the earthquake entirely accurately. |
B.The researchers have used a complex machine learning approach. |
C.AI forecast earthquakes by analyzing background sounds in the Earth. |
D.The researchers have combined statistical features with physics-based models. |
A.Applying the AI to other fields. |
B.Conducting tests in different locations |
C.Building more earthquake stations in Texas. |
D.Enlarging the database to train the calculation accuracy. |
A.reliable but outdated. | B.Effective but expensive. |
C.Potential and cost-effective. | D.groundbreaking and promising. |
A.To discuss the limitations of the AI algorithm. |
B.To highlight the challenges of earthquake prediction. |
C.To promote the University of Texas’s research program. |
D.To inform the advancements in AI-driven earthquake forecasting. |
6 . Have you ever had the feeling that you can’t think when there is too much noise around? Did you ever think a fish could experience that feeling too? A recent paper published in Science titled “Soundscape (声景) of the Anthropocene Oceans”, combined over 10,000 scientific papers, confirming that undersea life knows that exact same feeling, more often than not. Anthropogenic (人为的) ocean noise, also known as underwater noise pollution, has created a dramatic impact on marine life due to “human-caused” activity within and neighboring our oceans.
Disney Pixar’s animated film Finding Nemo educated us about the ocean, and specifically within the ordinary world of a clown fish. A fact many may not know is that clown fish spend the first part of their lives as larvae, drifting with the current of the ocean until they become strong enough to swim against it. Once they are powerful and strong, they head home in sheltered coral reefs. There is only one drawback — the fish can’t physically see the reef, but they can hear it. The only problem is, if they can’t hear it, will they ever make it home?
Our anthropogenic ocean noise, such as cargo ships, ship and boat propellers, surfing, deep sea mining, etc. are causing destruction of marine life. According to Time, sound is the sensory signal that travels the farthest through the ocean. Anthropogenic noise drowns out the natural soundscapes, putting marine life under immense stress. Altogether, this stress then affects their general health, disrupts their behavior, physiology, reproduction and, in extreme cases, causes death. Marine life can adapt to noise pollution, however, only if they can escape it. This only renders further complications of straying (使偏离) species from their traditional breeding regions or separating them from their families.
Now, what if we told you there is already a solution? Multiple remedies, ideas and designs are currently in the works or already exist to eliminate and reverse the damage of anthropogenic ocean noise. As Time explains, from wind-powered ships to noise-reducing propellers, floating wind turbines and “bubble curtains” that muffle construction noise, the solutions are already available and in some cases, cost-effective. The authors of the paper hope it will catch the attention of policymakers, who historically speaking, have ignored the matter still to this day.
Of all the challenges ocean creatures are battling, luckily sound pollution is the easiest compromise humans can make. Once the noise has decreased, marine life will be able to better manage everything else it is up against.
1. How does anthropogenic ocean noise affect clown fish?A.It improves their reproduction rates. |
B.It promotes their better development. |
C.It hinders them from finding their home. |
D.It causes them to give up their migration in the ocean. |
A.leads to | B.decides on | C.holds back | D.results from |
A.The application of relevant laws | B.The use of noise control technology. |
C.The restriction of human activities. | D.The attention of local policymakers. |
A.The beauty of marine ecosystems. |
B.The urgent need for ocean conservation. |
C.The impact of climate change on ocean noise. |
D.The harmful effects of human-generated ocean noise. |
7 . For rescued dogs to get adopted, they need to stand out from the pack. One teenage boy, Darius Brown, has made it his mission to make sure they do —and he does it by providing these dogs with many adorable bow ties (领结) that he sews himself.
Darius Brown’s sister, Dazhai, taught him to sew when he was 8. The youngster’s first project, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-themed bow tie, proved popular with his peers.
According to his mom, Joy, her son’s new passion was something of a godsend. Diagnosed at an early age with speech and fine-motor skill disorders, she noticed Darius’s abilities steadily improve as he painstakingly pursued his new craft. “He was so determined. He sat and watched Dazhai for months and took it all in,” Joy told The Washington Post. “He started out cutting fabric and pretty soon, he was running the sewing machine by himself.”
When Darius learned about all the family pets left homeless by Hurricane Irma in 2017, he was inspired to use his emerging talent in helping them get adopted. He soon delivered his first batch of 25 rescue bow ties to New York City’s ASPCA animal shelter, which had become a refuge (避难所) for large numbers of dogs and cats displaced by Irma.
“I saw how happy the people at the shelter were to get the bow ties and how much the dogs liked them, and I decided to make more,” he said. “I came up with a goal to give bow ties to an animal shelter in every state.”
With a little help from his mom, Darius brought his Beaux and Paws brand to life on Facebook and Instagram. The Browns also set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Darius’s sewing supplies. As demand for his “collarful” wares grew, Darius also broadened his operations by starting up his own entrepreneurial website, Sir Darius Brown.
1. How did Darius Brown’s sister help him learn to sew bow ties?A.By teaching him in person. | B.By asking others to teach him. |
C.By gifting him a sewing book. | D.By buying him a sewing machine. |
A.To earn money. |
B.To realize his dream. |
C.To help homeless animals get adopted. |
D.To become a famous fashion designer. |
A.Darius had a talent for learning languages. |
B.Darius’ mother assisted him in establishing his brand. |
C.A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help the homeless dogs. |
D.The Browns built ASPCA animal shelters as a refuge for dogs and cats. |
A.Animals Compete to Find an Owner. |
B.A Boy Brings New Lives to Homeless Dogs. |
C.A Family Adopt s Animals with Disabilities. |
D.Pets in Disasters Need an Animal Shelter to live. |
8 . Every mountain has a peak. Every valley has its
You may not be able to control the times, but you can
The positive solution to a problem is that you need courage to
In the final analysis, the reason why the tough people can
A.high | B.low | C.shallow | D.deep |
A.Ups and downs | B.twists and turns | C.odds and ends | D.twos and threes |
A.end | B.rise | C.raise | D.interrupt |
A.release | B.hide | C.hold | D.value |
A.complaint | B.spell | C.note | D.memory |
A.identify | B.attempt | C.choose | D.consider |
A.address | B.assess | C.access | D.aid |
A.apparently | B.obviously | C.abruptly | D.seemingly |
A.cause | B.process | C.impact | D.result |
A.bottom line | B.safety rule | C.comfort zone | D.top secret |
A.clever | B.intelligent | C.wild | D.delicate |
A.save | B.survive | C.benefit | D.live |
A.put | B.cut | C.stick | D.stress |
A.temporary | B.permanent | C.reliable | D.constant |
A.hold on to | B.live up to | C.go back to | D.give way to |
Ridoy, a 12-year-old boy, lived a carefree life under good care of his mom and dad. Just like any other boy of his age, he often lost his temper with his parents. Sometimes he obeyed what they said, but sometimes he would completely ignore them. For example, one day, Ridoy’s mom needed to go shopping for some ingredients for cooking and she asked Ridoy to help look after his one-year-old sister. But Ridoy just blurted “no way”, slapped the door and locked himself into his bedroom. There was another time when Ridoy’s dad urgently needed Ridoy to fetch a pair of fliers for him when he was fixing his bike. Ridoy just refused without thinking. But Ridoy’s parents did not worry a lot since this was very common in kids.
It was an unexpected holiday announced by the school of Ridoy and he had a five-day holiday. For the first two days, he spent a good time with his mother. She took him for outings. They went to the beach and amusement parks, and had delicious dining. She cooked his favorite foods and played with him. Three days were left and Ridoy’s mother wanted to clean the house, which she intended to involve Ridoy in. To her surprise, he accepted without hesitation. With the help of Ridoy, the house instantly became very tidy and the floor shone like a mirror. Everything she asked him to do during the three days was done to perfection. Although she was astonished by his behavior, a delicious sweetness well up in Ridoy’s mom’s heart.
While she was cooking the dinner meal on the fifth day, Ridoy gave her a piece of paper written by him. Since his mom was busy cooking, she asked him to place the paper on the dining table. After cooking the meals, she took the paper left by his son. The piece of paper contained the following list:
Cutting grass in the garden -$2
Cleaning the house -$3;
Taking care of my sister -$3;
Removing the garbage -$ 2;
…
In total, you owe me $20
She was literally shocked,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The boy was in tears when reading the paper.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1.表达不能赴约的歉意;2说明原因;3.另约时间;
注意:写作词数应为80左右;
Dear Peter,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Li Hua