1 . Shoes worn by the warriors of the first emperor of China, famously known as the Terracotta Army, may have been surprisingly flexible and slip resistant. Copies of them are helping to build a better picture of what Qin dynasty soldiers wore and how this might have aided them in battle.
The Terracotta Army found in 1974 near Xi’an, China, is formed of over 8000 sculptures showing the armies of the founder of the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang. The terracotta figures including warriors, chariots and horses, were buried alongside the emperor more than 2200 years ago to guard him in the afterlife.
Analysis of the sculptures has revealed what the ancient Chinese warriors wore and used. Now, Na Cha and Jin Zhou at Sichuan University in China have recreated the shoes of one of the warriors. The pair determined that the warrior’s square-toed shoes had upturned tips and 1.5cm thick sole (鞋底). There were also circular markings on the bottom of the soles, which the researchers took to represent stitches (缝线). There were more circles at the front and the heel, hinting that the real shoe was thinner in the middle.
The terracotta shoes looked like real shoes unearthed from the Qin dynasty, so the researchers used traditional shoe-making techniques and materials from the time to recreate them, even the circular markings on the sole.
The researchers also created copies of other shoes found in the region and wore both types to test them. They found that the army copies were more likely to bend during walking and were more slip resistant than the others. They were even more slip resistant in wet conditions than modern shoes with rubber or plastic soles. If the copied shoes truly reflect the real ones, they would probably have enhanced the soldiers’ fighting abilities, say Cha and Zhou.
1. What’s one of the features of the shoes worn by Qin dynasty soldiers?A.Strong flexibility. | B.Light weight. | C.Diverse patterns. | D.Poor slip resistance. |
A.How the shoes soles were made. | B.Whether the real shoes were thinner. |
C.What the terracotta soldiers’ shoes were like. | D.Why circular markings were made on the bottom. |
A.By analyzing the circular markings on the sole. |
B.By studying the fighting abilities of the soldiers. |
C.By wearing them and walking in wet conditions. |
D.By comparing them to modern rubber or plastic soles. |
A.The History of the Terracotta Army’s Shoes | B.The Secret of Terracotta Warrior’s Footwear |
C.The Property of the Terracotta Army’s Shoes | D.The Shoes Making Technique in Ancient Times |
2 . For many people, back pain can make it difficult to function in everyday life. It affects how you move, feel and think, leaving you with no choice but to take some kind of action to relieve the pain. But instead of being reactive,
Move more
Our bodies need adequate movement throughout the day to keep joints mobile and blood flowing through our muscles to avoid the inflexibility that contributes to aches and pains.
When we overuse our dominant side, we create muscle patterns of weakness and tension that increase pain and the likelihood of injury — especially in our backs. Consider the actions you take repeatedly throughout the day that shift your weight to one side: opening doors, carrying a bag, holding a leash to walk your dog, etc.
Correct imbalances
Just as you switch sides to balance out your body, you should also be aware of and correct imbalances in movements meant to be symmetrical (对称的).
If your back hurts at the end of the day, don’t just decide it was a “bad” day.
A.Switch sides |
B.you can take small daily steps to proactively avoid back pain |
C.These include walking, running, cycling, swimming and so on |
D.Ask yourself if you practiced the activities that help you avoid the stress and tension causing you discomfort |
E.Treat injuries |
F.This is especially true for back muscles |
G.They are greatly beneficial to the muscles |
3 . A tech firm, Huawei, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is set to enhance learning in Nigeria through technology.
The tech company said it is also making similar efforts in other developing countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, and Pakistan. The company made this known during the digital talent conference co-hosted by Huawei and Institute for Lifelong Learning. Huawei’s Vice President, Corporate Communications, Vicky Zhang, said the cooperation with UNESCO would enhance learning experiences in developing countries through the use of technology. “Getting the right education is often the key to success in life. As a major player in the technology sector, Huawei feels it is responsible for providing technical skills in all parts of the world, trying our best to include as many people as possible,” she said.
Zhang announced that Huawei started the Seeds for the Future program, a sub-project of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) talent development in 2018 by signing a memorandum (备忘录) of understanding (MoU) between the firm and Nigerian Federal Government. She added that the program is expected to make significant social impact and contribution that will inspire and help students find new solutions for future ICT development and help the country develop rapidly.
Director of UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), David Atchoarena, praised the firm for its commitment and contribution toward enhancing educators’ use of technology in developing countries. While introducing the company into the Global Alliance for Literacy(GAL), Atchoarena said, “Our rapidly changing world calls for joint efforts and strong partnerships to achieve quality education and lifelong learning for all. ”
A beneficiary (受益者) of Seeds for Future Nigeria, Anthony Ugheoke, described the program as a life-changing opportunity that has opened his eyes and changed his perspectives on life, especially ICT. While thanking the firm for the opportunity, Ugheoke urged future program beneficiaries to make good use of the learning to positively impact their lives, country and continent at large.
1. What does the Seeds for the Future program belong to?A.ICT. | B.MoU. | C.UIL. | D.GAL. |
A.Uncertain. | B.Supportive. | C.Alarmed. | D.Disappointed. |
A.It brought in high salaries. | B.It affected his children positively. |
C.It changed his understanding of life. | D.It offered books for free. |
A.Huawei Increases Sales of Products in a Nigerian Company |
B.Huawei Builds a Good Relationship with a Nigerian Company |
C.Huawei Partners UNESCO in Technology in Nigeria |
D.Huawei Promotes Learning Through Technology in Nigeria |
4 . Going to Tai Chi classes for 12 weeks greatly reduced symptoms of depression. The meditative practice, which has been used for more than 1,000 years, combines deep breathing and slow and gentle movements.
Fifty volunteer Chinese-American participants were accepted to take part in the study. They all had depression and were not receiving any other forms of treatment then. They were placed at random in three groups. The first took part in Tai Chi, the second received educational treatment and the third was the control group. Those given Tai Chi were taught basic traditional movements and practiced three times a week. All 17 volunteers in Tai Chi reported obviously greater improvement in depression symptoms than the other two groups.
Follow-up assessment after six months showed continuing improvement, the report published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry states. Lead author Professor Albert Yeung said if the findings are confirmed in other trials, it could be used as a primary treatment. He added, “Finding Tai Chi can be effective is particularly important because many adults of Chinese-American ethnicity decide not to seek help with depression and tend to avoid conventional psychiatric treatment and Tai Chi is culturally accepted by this group of patients.”
Previous research has shown Tai Chi makes the brain bigger and improves memory and thinking — possibly postponing the onset of dementia (痴呆症). Tai Chi has also been linked with reducing high blood pressure and relieving symptoms of cancer, heart failure and other diseases.
1. What can we learn about the research participants from Paragraph 2?A.They were suffering depression at the time. |
B.They were all fond of practicing Tai Chi. |
C.They were from China and America. |
D.They were mostly adults. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Unknown. | C.Negative. | D.Positive. |
A.Cure. | B.Outbreak. | C.Test. | D.Change. |
A.Americans with depression avoid seeking help. |
B.Depression will make the brain bigger. |
C.Tai Chi can help treat some diseases. |
D.Fewer people have depression now. |
1. What made the speaker upset with Giles?
A.The way he communicates. | B.The way he dresses. | C.The way he works. |
A.Try to change Giles. | B.Accept differences. | C.Pay attention to details. |
A.Appreciative. | B.Impatient. | C.Critical. |
1. What do we know about Jack?
A.He is a sports lover. | B.He is a man of action. | C.He is a skilled organizer. |
A.The competitive pay. |
B.The positive impact on society. |
C.The pleasant work environment. |
A.A coach. | B.An editor. | C.A journalist. |
A.Capable. | B.Honest. | C.Experienced. |
1. What are the speakers talking about?
A.Benefits of exercise. | B.Ways of keeping fit. | C.Tips for losing weight. |
A.Regular mild physical activity works better. |
B.Working out at the gym is the most rewarding. |
C.Avoid eating after doing intensive (高强度的)exercise. |
A.He works out at the gym. | B.He runs in the park. | C.He goes cycling. |
The green grass and bar e rock of Macquarie Island’s landscape contrast dramatically, giving it a wild and natural beauty.
But the island’s more recent history tells
Meanwhile, rabbits were introduced to the island
In 2014, Macquarie Island was declared pest-free and the island’s eco logy is finally on the road to
Harbin, the capital city of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province,
Both the number of tourists
Data from the city's commerce department shows a significant
Wang Hongxin,
10 . We’ve all heard it: There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. When it’s icy outside, you may be trying to grab the thickest and heaviest jumper to stay warm. But those in the know wear a series of layers in cold weather, known as “the layering system”. This is because wearing multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than a single thicker layer.
The secret of “the layering system” exists in what we cannot see: air. Surprisingly, air is a great insulator (绝缘体) . When we layer clothes on top of each other, we are trapping air between the layers. Our body heat then warms the air and the layers keep that cozy space contained next to our skin. That’s why you get hotter as your physical movement increases—you’re creating more body heat that sits next to your skin.
Think of your layering system as a sandwich, instead of bread, meat, and vegetables, we’re looking at three layering components: a base layer, amid layer, and an outer layer. The base layer is very important as it helps move sweat away from your skin quickly, keeping it dry and trapping warm air against your body. Choose natural fibers like wool or bamboo, or synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester, but cotton is not recommended because it holds onto moisture (水分) and makes you feel wet and cold. The mid layer’s role is to trap body heat, so fleece, wool, and down are all good choices. The outer layer acts as a barrier, shielding the body from moisture and wind, which is why jackets and snowsuits are perfect choices. Moreover, don’t forget to choose appropriate footwear, as well as a hat and scarf, for additional protection.
In conclusion, layering your clothes is a science. By understanding the layering system and choosing appropriate clothing, one can stay warm and comfortable even in the coldest weather.
1. How does “the layering system” help people keep warm?A.By absorbin g sunlight to heat the air. | B.By trapping body heat between the layers. |
C.By keeping out the cold wind completely. | D.By covering the skin to warm the body. |
A.Wool. | B.Nylon. | C.Bamboo. | D.Cotton. |
A.Preventing any injuries from your enemy. | B.Moving sweat away from your skin quickly. |
C.Protecting the body from moisture and wind. | D.Trapping body heat to shield the body from wind. |
A.To introduce a way to keep warm in winter. | B.To recommend some warm clothes for people. |
C.To stress the importance of clothing materials. | D.To show a new fashion trend in winter. |