1 . The blue whale holds the current record as the largest creature to live on Earth, but a collection of bones found in Per u might break that record. Researchers have identified a whale species called Perucetus colossus in the publication Nature. Bones from this species, including backbones weighing over 100 kilograms each and ribs measuring nearly 1. 4 meters long, were found by Mario Urbina in 2012 in the Ica desert.
The area where the bones were found was once underwater, making it a rich source of ocean fossils. The find resulted in 13 backbone vertebrae (脊椎), four ribs and a hip bone. The large fossils date back to around 39 million years ago. Alberto Collareta, a lead writer of the study, described the fossils as unlike anything he had ever seen before.
The researchers used 3D scanners to study the bones’ surface and also looked inside. Based on the incomplete skeleton, the team estimated that the ancient creature weighed somewhere between 85 and 340 metric tons. Comparatively, the largest blue whales found fell within that range, at around 180 metric tons. The Perucetus colossus measured about 20meters long, while blue whales can reach 30 meters in length. This means the newly discovered whale was “feasibly the heaviest animal ever,” said Alberto Collareta. But he added, “it was most likely not the longest animal ever.”
Interestingly, the density and weight of the Perucetus colossus’ bones were much higher than those of a blue whale. This suggests that the colossal whale may have inhabited shallower coastal waters, similar to other coastal animals with heavy bones.
Another researcher, Amson, said, without the skull, it is hard to know what the whale was eating to support such a huge body. It is possible that the large creature sought food along the seafloor, the researchers said. Or it could have eaten up tons of smaller sea life in the ocean. Swiesen, a paleontologist, added that he would not be surprised “if this thing actually fed in a totally different way that we would never imagine.”
1. What do Paragraphs 1 and 2 say?A.Massive prehistoric oceanic bones were unearthed in Peru. |
B.Peru was considered to be a place rich in ancient whales. |
C.Researchers found the bones underwater in Peru waters. |
D.A new finding of bones was made about the whale family. |
A.Barely. | B.Possibly. |
C.Actually. | D.Undoubtedly. |
A.Its weight. | B.Its length. |
C.Its feeding behavior. | D.Its natural habitat. |
A.An Ancient Whale May Be Heaviest Animal Ever Found |
B.A Whale Species Uncovers the Diversity of Marine Life |
C.The Fossil Discovery in Peru Puzzles World Researchers |
D.The Backbones Give New Insights about the Blue Whale |
2 . Eduardo and Mast both badly wanted a puppy. When they got
On the wedding morning, Mast, in a white dress, and Eduardo, in a black suit
“We got there about 9:45 and were first in line. When a shelter worker fetched Daisy and carried her in, we were both in
Cavedon, the manager of Animal Shelter, said “I am
Afterwards they first shared Daisy’s
“Now Daisy is learning to be house-broken and has smoothly
A.caught | B.struck | C.addicted | D.engaged |
A.instantly | B.frequently | C.regularly | D.occasionally |
A.patient | B.thankful | C.ideal | D.anxious |
A.tricky | B.dangerous | C.urgent | D.tense |
A.admission | B.adoption | C.invitation | D.performance |
A.Certain | B.Likely | C.Unwilling | D.Hesitant |
A.reschedule | B.postpone | C.extend | D.last |
A.cautious | B.supportive | C.doubtful | D.confident |
A.whoever | B.whatever | C.wherever | D.whenever |
A.explained | B.accepted | C.designed | D.exchanged |
A.imagination | B.eagerness | C.concern | D.embarrassment |
A.jogged | B.wandered | C.rushed | D.marched |
A.relief | B.confusion | C.amazement | D.regret |
A.proud | B.ashamed | C.guilty | D.glad |
A.impressed | B.showered | C.supplied | D.helped |
A.story | B.feeling | C.message | D.thought |
A.yet | B.soon | C.once | D.instead |
A.prepared | B.voted | C.planned | D.advocated |
A.escaped from | B.settled into | C.cleaned up | D.cared about |
A.smart | B.brave | C.naughty | D.fierce |
3 . By clicking the thumbs up, posting a comment, or sharing a post, people are validating (认可) each other at an increasing rate. This, as well as the need for in-person validation, can create anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem and make it addictive to hear praise, acceptance, and acknowledgment in all aspects of life.
To break free from external validation, it’s key to learn to be aware when you are seeking it.
Be mindful. Look carefully at what you are doing.
Do not ask for validation.
Keep in mind that validation is not a bad thing in your life; it is positive without doubt.
A.Take a social media break. |
B.Ignore the need for praise and acceptance. |
C.It’s only problematic when it’s your single focus. |
D.Track and record improvements, mentally or on paper. |
E.Problems arise when self-validation is valued too much. |
F.Instead of seeking validation from others, ask yourself first. |
G.This self-awareness can lead to growth through internal validation. |
4 . Hip-hop started 50 years ago as an escape from poverty and violence in Bronx, New York City. The music and style appealed to Black and Latino teenagers. As hip-hop spread throughout New York, so did the culture.
People often mix up hip-hop with rap. Rap is a musical style that combines quick recitation of rhymes with musical beats. But hip-hop is more than just music. It is a culture, and rap music is one part of it. Hip-hop also includes other activities, like breakdancing, disc-jockeying and graffiti art. In his 1993 song Hip Hop vs. Rap, KRS-One said: “Rap is something you do. Hip hop is something you live.” In the early days of hip-hop, playing music on the streets or turning a basketball court into a dance floor may have seemed like a simple invitation to have fun and party. But it actually was an answer to social and economic injustice in poor neighborhoods. It was a way to show joy and imagination even without resources and wealth.
As hip-hop and rap music grew into a force in American culture, entertainers used it to speak to their personal realities. In 1982, in the song The Message, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five criticized poverty and a lack of investment in Black communities. Several years later, Tupac Shakur complained about police violence in the song Changes. Today, hip-hop’s influence on music and other industries is so widespread that experts say it becomes difficult to measure.
There is also hip-hop’s influence on protest, resistance and political dissent (异议) around the world. From the Arab Spring and the Palestinian freedom fight to feminism and class struggles, rap music is a popular expression for calls to action. Music videos produced by artists in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America often include breakdancers, graffiti and other elements of hip-hop.
“Hip-hop took the chains off us and said, ‘No, we’re gonna say it our way,’ ” Al Sharpton, American civil rights leader, said, “It was that freedom. It was that raw, non-watered down kind of expression.”
1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about as for hip-hop?A.Its background. | B.Its content. |
C.Its diversity. | D.Its popularity. |
A.Hip-hop develops quickly in the world. |
B.Hip-hop carries an attitude towards life. |
C.Hip-hop makes people confused about life. |
D.Hip-hop focuses on having fun and partying. |
A.A competition in dance and music. | B.A call for peaceful global relations. |
C.A response to poverty and violence. | D.A trend of musical experimentation. |
A.It fits in with social values. | B.It’s associated with wealth. |
C.It satisfies the public’s tastes. | D.It helps speak out for the poor. |
“YOLO”(热辣滚烫), coming out in China on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday,
Jia’s first feature was “Hi, Mom,” an
Sony recently made an
6 . Intuition Robotics, an Israeli company, has developed ElliQ, an artificial intelligence robot designed to help older Americans from loneliness. ElliQ offers companionship to seniors, engaging them in conversations, playing music, leading exercises, and providing reminders for health-related activities. The device resembles a small table lamp with a glowing, moveable head, creating an interactive experience that remembers the user’s interests and tailors conversations accordingly.
Joyce Loaiza, 81, from Florida, is among the first users of ElliQ, who enjoys the device’s company and the personalized nickname “Jellybean” given to her. Furthermore, in New York, ElliQ entertainment 92-year-old Marie Broadbent with games and music, while Washington state’s Jan Worrell, 83, uses it to develop new friendships.
The AI assistant works privately, with conversations not heard by company employees and data stored only on the owner’s device. According to Intuition Robotics CEO DorSkuler, users interact with ElliQ over 30 times daily, and over 90% report experiencing less loneliness. The project idea arose from personal experience when Skuler’s grandfather needed a companion who shared his interests after losing his partner.
While ElliQ is primarily distributed through state agencies in New York, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington, it can also be purchased for an annual fee of $600, plus a setup cost of $250. The goal is to have more than 100,000 units in use within five years.
State officials emphasize that ElliQ is not meant to replace social interaction, but it provides a valuable service for those who may be home-bound or lack social connections. Despite concerns raised by Julianne Holt - Lunstad, a professor at Brigham Young University, regarding the potential of such devices to reduce social connections, agencies see EliiQ as a beneficial tool, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic increased social isolation among the elderly.
1. What’s the function of ElliQ in the text?A.To fight off seniors’ loneliness effectively. |
B.To offer seniors some sound suggestions. |
C.To perform seniors’ household chores. |
D.To address seniors’ physical problems. |
A.To explain why people are into ElliQ. |
B.To show ElliQ has some advantages. |
C.To provide basic functions about ElliQ. |
D.To demonstrate ElliQ benefits seniors. |
A.It appears as a human-like figure. |
B.It can be purchased in the local stores. |
C.It originates from personal needs in life. |
D.It helps company collect personal information. |
A.She considers it has long-term social benefits. |
B.She thinks it has no significant effect on loneliness. |
C.She assumes it may prevent seniors seeking human contact. |
D.She believes it a perfect substitute for human companionship. |
1. Who usually cooked New Year’s dinner?
A.The man. | B.The woman. | C.The man’s parents. |
A.Shop for food. |
B.Make a dinner reservation. |
C.Take care of children. |
A.What to have at New Year’s dinner. |
B.Where to have New Year’s dinner. |
C.When to prepare New Year’s dinner. |
1. What is the speaker trying to do?
A.Start a school magazine. |
B.Look for some part-time editors. |
C.Get materials for the school magazine. |
A.Jokes. | B.Photos of school life. | C.Drawings and paintings. |
A.The sports page. | B.The center page. | C.The diary page. |
A.The football team. | B.The basketball team. | C.The tennis team. |
Cordless Blade 5 is a great one for sheer suction (吸力) power. It’s easy to use it under furniture and it works well on all surfaces. The dust tank holds 0.7 litres and it comes with two batteries for 90 minutes of charge. If you’re on a budget, the Blade 4 is a good option (now£250,from£450;vax. co.uk)
MIele Complete C3At 890W, this corded vacuum is “exceptionally powerful” and its “Air Clean” filtration traps even tiny particles. It has a 12m radius (半径) and comes with three tools, stored in the body(£219;miele.co.uk)
Shark CZ500UKT Duo CleanThis 880W corded vacuum has remarkable suction power. It can switch between cleaning carpets or hard floors, and has an anti-hair-wrap brush roll and an LED light to show up dust (£330; sharkclean.co.uk)
Dyson Ball Animal Multi-floorUnusually easy to move or turn skillfully thanks to its responsive rollerball, this bagless vacuum delivers strong suction and is great for getting up pet hair. A bit heavy at 7.4kg, it has a ten-metre cord and 3.5-litre caddy, which ejects at the touch of a button (£380; dyson.co.uk)
Henry HVR 160-11A long-standing favourite, the Henry is famously strong and great value. It has a large six-litre dust bag, and packs 620W of power. Its cord is a generous ten metres, and it has a long 2.2m hose, which is useful for cleaning up high and under sofas (£130; myhenry.com).
1. Which of the following features its visibility during cleaning?A.MIele Complete C3. | B.Henry HVR 160-11. |
C.Dyson Ball Animal Multi-floor. | D.Shark CZ500UKT Duo Clean. |
A.It is the cheapest. | B.It has no cord. |
C.It has the strongest suction power. | D.It can easily get up pet hair. |
A.Science. | B.News. |
C.Advertisement. | D.Entertainment. |
10 . While it may seem impossible for a simple question to change everything, that is in fact my story. I was a relatively
With my business, I often
I
Today I’m a supporter of Access Consciousness. I’m
A.happy | B.reliable | C.academic | D.honest |
A.annoying | B.disordered | C.appealing | D.personal |
A.addiction | B.separation | C.tolerance | D.existence |
A.delivered | B.attended | C.ignored | D.mentioned |
A.pointed | B.contributed | C.flew | D.walked |
A.particularly | B.basically | C.naturally | D.usually |
A.essays | B.pens | C.questions | D.records |
A.whether | B.when | C.why | D.where |
A.heard | B.dropped | C.moved | D.read |
A.performed | B.inquired | C.declined | D.protested |
A.stand out | B.give up | C.wake up | D.pass out |
A.anxious | B.confident | C.satisfied | D.ordinary |
A.sadder | B.lighter | C.more interested | D.more embarrassed |
A.feelings | B.events | C.belongings | D.doubts |
A.making up for | B.looking up to | C.picking up on | D.putting up with |
A.turned to | B.searched for | C.came across | D.played with |
A.business | B.head | C.dream | D.promise |
A.no longer | B.so far | C.in general | D.at least |
A.abandoned | B.toured | C.convinced | D.understood |
A.admirable | B.professional | C.impressive | D.cheerful |