1 . If a pancake could dream, it might long for legs so it could jump off your breakfast plate in pursuit of a better, unchewed life. But legs aren’t necessary for something as flat as a pancake to jump around. A group of scientists have designed a pancake-shaped robot that can jump several times per second and higher than seven times its body height. The new robot named Hop, which swiftly jumps without feet, is an important contribution to the soft robotics.
Many ground robots move by rolling or walking. But it’s more efficient for robots to jump over obstacles (障碍物) than to go around them. Although jumping can offer some robots a competitive edge, engineering that ability has been a challenge for robotics researchers. Some soft robots that store energy can perform a single impressive jump very infrequently. Some lightweight soft robots that don’t store energy can jump frequently but can’t jump high or far enough to successfully cross an obstacle.
For inspiration, the researchers looked to gall midge larvae (瘿蚊幼虫) that miraculously throw themselves across distances 30 times as long as their loglike bodies. A gall midge larva bends its body and squeezes the liquid in its body to one end, making it rigid (僵硬的). The accumulation of liquid builds up pressure, and releasing the pressure sends it soaring (飙升). The robot’s body doesn’t resemble (像) that of a gall midge larva, but it jumps like one. Its body is made of two small plastic bags printed with electrodes; the front bag is filled with liquid and the back one is filled with the same volume of air. The robot uses electricity to drive the flow of liquid, which causes the body to bend and generate force with the ground, resulting in a jump. And the air bag imitates the function of an animal’s tail, helping the robot keep a stable position.
While the robot is currently restricted to Earth, it might be right at home exploring another planet. If this is true, the researchers robot might jump over dusty rocks and large holes on the moon or Mars, going where no pancake has gone before.
1. What does the author want to show by mentioning a pancake?A.A pancake’s dream to have legs is unrealistic. |
B.A robot is capable of serving a good pancake. |
C.A pancake-shaped robot can jump without legs. |
D.Research on pancakes advances our understanding of robots. |
A.Hop’s avoiding an obstacle. | B.Hop’s moving around by rolling. |
C.Hop’s performing one remarkable jump. | D.Hop’s jumping high and far continuously. |
A.They are shaped like logs. |
B.They have tails to change positions. |
C.They bend their bodies and increase force. |
D.They are filled with liquid and have rigid bodies. |
A.Intolerant. | B.Positive. | C.Indifferent. | D.Ambiguous. |
注意: 1.词数100左右;
2.可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
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1. What’s Friends?
A.A TV play. | B.An English movie. | C.An English news broadcast. |
A.In their 20s. | B.In their 30s. | C.In their 40s. |
A.By listing examples. |
B.By introducing different backgrounds. |
C.By making fun of each other’s shortcomings. |
A.In a university. | B.At an educational firm. | C.In a language school. |
1. When did the man get to Washington, D.C.?
A.At about 8:00. | B.At about 10:00. | C.At about 12:00 |
A.The man himself. | B.The Army Band. | C.A private organization. |
A.To take photos. | B.To receive honor. | C.To meet reporters. |
A.Ashamed. | B.Proud. | C.Content. |
1. Where are the speakers?
A.In the hospital. | B.In a restaurant. | C.At a store. |
A.60 dollars. | B.90 dollars | C.150 dollars. |
A.On the top shelf | B.Next to the top shelf | C.Next to the black gloves. |
1. How often is the woman late?
A.Never. | B.Occasionally | C.Often |
A.Husband and wife. | B.Boss and employee. | C.Teacher and student. |
7 . When you think of a map, is north on the top or the bottom? Usually, maps are designed with north on top, though when we think about it, there is no logical reason for this bias (偏见). After all, there is no up or down in space. So what is wrong with south, east or west being on the top of the map? The answer is: nothing at all. In fact, north-up maps only became the norm in the last few hundred years.
Ancient Egyptian maps had south at the top because the Nile River flows downhill from mountains in the south to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Mecca was to the south of most early Muslim civilizations, and south-up maps were designed so that viewers would look up to see Mecca. Medieval Christian maps had east at the top, as they believed the Garden of Eden was in the east. The only early maps that had north at the top were those of early China because the emperor lived in the north.
North seems to have settled at the top of maps during the 16th century, largely thanks to a Flemish mapmaker, Mercator. Mercator was a great admirer of an early Greek mapmaker, who, for reasons now unknown, put north at the top of maps, so Mercator did, too. When Mercator’s world map became the standard map to navigate the oceans, north up became standard as well.
What is the implication of this north-view of the world? Psychologically, people tend to think of up as good and down as bad. Just think of words and phrases like “upmarket”, “upbeat” and “moving up in the world”, and how they contrast with their opposites. Because north is so consistently put at the top of maps, people now think of north as good, too.
Several attempts have been made in recent years by introducing south-up maps to the market. These maps not only give us a chance to see the world differently, but also give everyone the chance to see themselves on top.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?A.North-up maps were rare in ancient times. |
B.Deciding up or down in space is ridiculous. |
C.Mecca maps were based on a legend. |
D.The south-up map first appeared in ancient Egypt. |
A.An illogical reason. | B.The spread of Mercator’s maps. |
C.People’s preference for up. | D.An age-old tradition in Greece. |
A.Cautious. | B.Supportive. | C.Uncaring. | D.Disapproving. |
A.To criticize a phenomenon. | B.To compare various facts. |
C.To correct a cultural bias. | D.To argue for a viewpoint. |
8 . Small children are easy to throw up in the air and catch — and they
I hope Jacky will always trust me fully, but I know that, as he gets older, it will need more effort and sound judgment
A.deserve | B.love | C.miss | D.know |
A.in case | B.even though | C.so that | D.as if |
A.fear | B.doubt | C.excitement | D.astonishment |
A.reasonable | B.absolute | C.limited | D.important |
A.responsibility | B.satisfaction | C.achievement | D.relief |
A.on my part | B.on my behalf | C.in my honor | D.in my name |
A.wait | B.choose | C.expect | D.afford |
A.attach | B.compare | C.introduce | D.adjust |
A.grateful | B.happy | C.proud | D.safe |
A.For instance | B.Above all | C.At first | D.In addition |
A.However | B.Therefore | C.Similarly | D.Fortunately |
A.affection | B.leadership | C.friendship | D.determination |
A.assess | B.understand | C.organize | D.develop |
A.gesture | B.lack | C.bond | D.measure |
A.communication | B.personality | C.management | D.education |
9 . Welcome to UCLA Exchange Program! Let’s get started by checking out Student Guide for your academic journey!
Signing up for ESL (English as a Second Language)
ESL courses are designed to help international students improve academic English language skills. Enrollment (课程注册) priority is given to degree students. If space is available, you may enroll. You will then be asked to take an ESL Placement Test. The test results will help you choose the class that is appropriate for you.
Changing Your Course Enrollment List
You may change your class schedule during the first two weeks of the term by adding or dropping courses from your enrollment list. After the second week of classes, there will be a charge for each schedule change. Students often attend classes in which they are not enrolled on the first day of instruction to try adding this new course to the list, as other students may have dropped it.
Withdrawing from Courses
If you choose to drop a course, you must follow the UCLA procedures for removing it from your schedule. If you forget to officially drop that course, a “F” (Fail) grade will be registered on your record at the end of the term. If, at a later date, you wish to apply for a job or graduate school where an official copy of your UCLA record is required, it will be to your advantage to provide an impressive academic record.
Taking Exams
Some instructors choose to put previous test papers on library reserve, making them available to all students. These exams, which students commonly use for practice, can give you an idea of how instructors ask questions and what they regard as relevant material. You can also access the exams online.
1. Exchange students can enroll in the ESL course if they ________.A.have done well in the placement test |
B.are asked to improve their English skills |
C.find a vacancy after degree students’ enrollment |
D.have completed UCLA’s registration procedures |
A.The day when the class is full. |
B.The first day of instruction. |
C.The first week of the class. |
D.The end of the second week. |
A.imitate the way that their instructors write test questions |
B.learn how questions are asked and what they are based on |
C.come up with new ideas about how testing relates to teaching |
D.narrow down to what has not yet been covered in online tests |
1. What does the speaker say about Castle Howard?
A.It took its name from a film. |
B.It has been home to a family. |
C.It was once used for defence. |
A.It’s open every day of the year. |
B.It’s the largest garden in England. |
C.It’s planted with many kinds of roses. |
A.A tour guide. | B.A gardener. | C.A news reporter. |