Face masks are reportedly selling out in cities across Asia because of the spread of a deadly new coronavirus. But will these masks stop people
Now two main types of face masks are being used to do that. One is a standard surgical mask. But these masks don't offer full protection
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2 . Earlier this summer, after packing my rucksack for a wild-camping holiday, I gazed at my belongings, and made a final adjustment to the contents of my bag.
I quickly emailed my travel companion, a photographer friend called Jacob to make sure I could have some pictures of our trip afterwards, so I could pop a few up on Instagram when I returned. And then I set off, feeling — for the first time in a number of trips — that I was genuinely escaping the stresses and strains of my everyday life.
During my three-day Insta-break, my stress levels decrease quickly within 24 hours.
| A．I also changed how I processed the trip itself. |
| B．So I am fully supportive of screen-free holidays. |
| C．I took out my iPhone, and threw it under my bed. |
| D．1 would lose track of my coworkers, my friends and my family. |
| E．None of them could touch me for the next three glorious days. |
| F．So this summer, as you plan your trip, ask if you can delete Instagram. |
| G．As a travel writer, abandoning my phone for my holiday felt like the extreme betrayal. |
3 . I'm on the phone with a frustrated customer, and a note appears on my computer screen: You are speaking slower than usual. Speed up. I do, and the message disappears, only to be replaced with another: Continuous Speaking — Finish your thought.
This is Cogito, an artificial intelligence program designed to help customer service workers communicate more clearly, empathize (产生共鸣) with frustrated callers, and improve their overall performance. Cogito listens to the tone, pitch, word frequency and other factors in customer service conversations. When it detects something wrong-an irritated customer, a call center agent taking too long to respond — it displays a note on the agent's computer telling them how to improve.
For anyone who's spent hours of their lives stuck on the phone with an unhelpful or very rude customer service agent, Cogito may seem. like a godsend. And some customer service agents using the software generally say they find it helpful. One employee says that Cogito helped her cut her average call time nearly in half, while another says it helped her speaking slow down.
Cogito has been launched to more than sixty call centers across the U. S. over the past year. The company behind the software, Cogito Inc., has raised more than $ 70 million. “We were 45 people a year ago,” says Cogito CEO Josh Feast, whose. company now has 150 employees. At MetLife, managers say that the program improved customer satisfaction by 13%，and helped agents (who take an average of 700 calls a week) to have more “human” conversations.
Such software as Cogito is unlikely to stop at the meeting room. But like other enterprise software, it could soon spread well beyond call centers and other offices and into our daily lives.
1. What's the purpose of Cogito program?| A．To speed up customer service workers' speaking. |
| B．To store the conversations between customers and agents. |
| C．To improve customer service agents' communication with callers. |
| D．To complain of frustrated callers. |
| A．Cogito bas been used by sixty call centers in the world. |
| B．The company behind the software benefits a lot from Cogito. |
| C．Josh Feast designed Cogito with the help of employees. |
| D．Customers weren't satisfied with MetLife's service without Cogito. |
| A．It'll be part of our normal day-to-day life. |
| B．I'll spread into other offices. |
| C．I'll tell humans what to do. |
| D．I'll replace customer service agents. |
| A．A novel. | B．A brochure. |
| C．A guidebook. | D．A magazine. |
4 . Every year, the Palace of Fine. Arts Theatre in San Francisco fills up with dance lovers. They come to take in experimental works of art that all have one thing in common — hip hop. This weekend the San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest, the mission of which is to encourage the evolution of hip hop dance culture while preserving its legacy, celebrates 20 years of presenting exciting hip hop performances.
Each DanceFest has diversity of style and group size, and a balance of local and out-of-town companies. The festival has drawn impressive international talents. In fact, outstanding technical dance skills are only a basic standard that the festival organizers are looking for. They look for much more groups or solo artists that think outside the box. Artists that use hip hop in a theatrical way or use it to address social issues are sure to stand out. For instance, the 2010 performance “Tables and Chairs” served to highlight the negative effects of alcoholism on society, warning people against the addiction to alcohol.
It would be terribly irresponsible not to mention the founder, Micaya, in any introduction to DanceFest. A popular hip hop dance instructor, Micaya began producing high energy dance shows in the heart of San Francisco in 1993. Students love her classes so much that a San Francisco newspaper once called her “Best Dance Instructor”.
However, Micaya was concerned about the doubtful reputation of hip hop. She made it her goal to get hip hop the same recognition and respect as other dance forms. In 1999 she started DanceFest. It was the first festival of its kind to honor the creativity of hip hop dance in a non-competitive atmosphere. To Micaya, competitive formats leave little room for the magic that comes from true expression. One review said, Micaya's festival challenges us “to reconsider just how diverse ... and embracing hip hop can now be.” Indeed, Micaya brings out the best in dancers, and has given San Francisco one of its finest festivals.
1. Why is the San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest held?| A．To attract international talents. |
| B．To encourage people to play hip hop. |
| C．To show the diversity of hip hop style. |
| D．To promote the development of hip hop dance culture. |
| A．Handle. | B．Discuss. |
| C．Recognize. | D．Record. |
| A．She was a popular hip hop composer in 1993. |
| B．She made hip hop dance less diverse in 1999. |
| C．She popularizes hip hop dance through the DanceFest. |
| D．She contributes to the increasing competition of hip hop dance. |
| A．The Rise and Fall of Hip Hop | B．A Unique Hip Hop DanceFest |
| C．A Famous Hip Hop Dancer | D．The Development of Hip Hop DanceFest |
5 . The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers awards for highly qualified candidates including recent doctoral recipients (接受者) and senior researchers. Applications are accepted during four annual review cycles (with deadlines of May 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1).
Awardees have the opportunity to:
●devote full-time effort to research and publication
●access the excellent and often unique facilities of the federal research enterprise
●cooperate with leading scientists and engineers at the sponsoring laboratories
Benefits of an NRC Research Associateship award include:
●1 year awards, renewable for up to 3 years
●allowances ranging from $ 45,000 to $ 80,000, higher for senior researchers
●Health insurance, moving benefits, and a professional travel allowance
Desired skills and experience:
Applicants should hold an earned doctorate in science or engineering. Degrees from universities abroad should be equal to a degree from a U. S. institution. Some awards are open to foreign nationals as well as to U. S. citizens and permanent residents.
About the employer:
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Fellowships Office has managed the NRC Research Associateship Programs in cooperation with federal laboratories and other research organizations since 1954. Through national competitions, the Fellowships Office recommends and makes awards to outstanding postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers for tenure (终身聘用) as guest researchers at participating laboratories. A limited number of opportunities are available for support of graduate students in select fields.
1. How long does a review cycle last?| A．Four years. | B．Four months. |
| C．Three years. | D．Three months. |
| A．Renew the award for another three years. |
| B．Do medical research in federal laboratories. |
| C．Invent unique facilities for the federal lab. |
| D．Work with leading researchers at the sponsoring laboratories. |
| A．To search for partners. |
| B．To encourage studies on science. |
| C．To attract highly qualified candidates. |
| D．To advertise a research institution. |
6 . One spring morning many years ago, I had been prospecting for gold along Coho Creek in southeastern Alaska. Suddenly, no more than 20 paces away was a huge Alaskan timber wolf-caught in a trap.
From her appearance, I guessed she had been trapped for several days. She needed my help, I thought. But if I tried to release her, she would turn aggressive to me. The wolf was clearly suffering. The trap's steel jaws had imprisoned two toes. They were swollen and lacerated, but she wouldn't lose the paw (爪子) — if freed. Yet each time I moved closer, she would make a frightening growl. If I could only win her confidence, I thought. It was her only hope.
Over the next few days, I divided my time between prospecting and trying to win the wolf's trust. I talked gently with her, throwing her some meat. Gradually, I kept edging closer — though I was careful to remain beyond the length of her trap chain.
At dusk on the fifth day, I delivered her dinner. Suddenly, I saw a slight wagging of her tail. I moved within the length of her chain. She remained sill. As a towering man, my heart was in my mouth, though. Within her reach, I wrapped my blanket around myself and slowly settled onto the cold ground. It was long before I fell asleep.
The next morning, I slowly placed my hand on the wolf's injured leg. Unexpectedly; she made no threatening move. Then I applied pressure, the trap sprang open, and the wolf pulled free.
My experience told me the wolf would vanish into the woods quickly. But cautiously, she crept toward me and sniffed my hands and arms. This went against everything I'd ever heard about timber wolves. Yet, strangely, it all seemed so natural.
1. What happened to the timber wolf?| A．She was stuck in a trap. | B．Her food ran out. |
| C．Her legs were swollen. | D．She was caught in the author's trap. |
| A．Some food. | B．The author's care. |
| C．Her trust in the author. | D．Winning the author's confidence. |
| A．He was too close to the wolf. | B．The ground was too cold. |
| C．The wolf remained still. | D．The wolf wagged her tail. |
| A．It was frightening and surprising. | B．It was unexpected but natural. |
| C．It was humorous and natural. | D．It was terrifying but encouraging. |
7 . Want to fit the best of London in your two-week vacation? Here is a list of the best places you must visit in London. Without visiting these, a trip to this city is no more than just incomplete.
Buckingham Palace Perhaps the most famous palace in the world, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch (君主). State rooms are open to visitors only during the Palace's Summer Opening, which takes place in most of August and September. However, if you are heading to the palace at a different time, you can witness "Changing of the Guard'', where the guard is changed daily from April to July, and on alternate days from August to March.
British Museum This museum showcases works from the birth of human civilization to the modern age, and has contributions from all continents of the world. The main attractions include the much-debated Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles), Mummy of Cleopatra from Thebes, and the Rosetta Stone. Entry to the museum is free.
London Eye The 32 capsules on the London Eye carry many visitors every day. Due to its 360 rotation ability, you can almost see the entire city of London, when you reach the top. Until the Shard's privately-operated deck opened in 2013, the London Eye was the tallest public viewing point.
London Zoo The world's oldest scientific zoo, the London Zoo consists of many different types of animals. This is also one of the best places for children, as you can book a VIP encounter with the animals for them. And what's more? You can also stay overnight at the zoo in Lookout Lodge.
1. When should you go if you want to visit a state room in the Buckingham Palace?| A．In April. | B．In September. |
| C．In July. | D．In January. |
| A．Parthenon Marbles. | B．the Rosetta Stone. |
| C．Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. | D．Mummy of Cleopatra from Thebes. |
| A．You can visit the British Museum free of charge. |
| B．You can witness "Changing of the Guard" every other day in December. |
| C．You can see the almost entire city of London on the top of the London Eye. |
| D．You needn't buy a ticket for your kid to enter London Zoo. |
8 . Imagine your clothing could release enough heat to keep you warm and cozy, allowing you to stay comfortable in a cooler room. Or, picture a car windshield that stores the sun's energy and then releases it as heat to make the ice on the windshield disappear.
According to a team of researchers at MIT, both cases may be possible before long, thanks to a new material that can store solar energy during the day and release it later as heat. This transparent polymer film could be applied to many different surfaces, such as window glass or clothing.
Solar energy is only available about half the time we need it — during daylight. For the sun to become a major power provider for human needs, there has to be an efficient way to save it up for use during nighttime and stormy days. Most such efforts have focused on storing and recovering solar energy in the form of electricity, but the new finding, by MlI professor Jeffrey Grossman, Postdoc David Zhitomirsky and graduate student Eugene Cho, could provide a highly efficient method for storing the sun's energy through a chemical reaction and releasing it later as heat.
The key to enabling long-term, stable storage of solar heat, the team said, is to store it in the form of a chemical change rather than storing the heat itself. But heat will disappear over time no matter how good the material around it is, so the team set up a chemical storage system that can keep the energy in a stable molecular configuration. When exposed to sunlight, the molecules can stay that way for long periods Then, when triggered (触发)by a very specific temperature or something else, the molecules return to their original shape , giving off heat in the process.
Such chemically-based storage materials, known as Solar Thermal Fuels(STF), have been developed before. But those earlier efforts were designed to be used in liquid solutions and not able to make durable (耐用的) solid-state films. The new approach is the first based on a solid-state material, in this case a polymer, and the first based on inexpensive materials and widespread production technology.
1. What is the main purpose of Paragraph 1?| A．To show the main idea of the passage. |
| B．To practice readers' imagination. |
| C．To interest readers in the passage. |
| D．To introduce a new kind of material. |
| A．It can be made into window glass. |
| B．It can make necessary electricity. |
| C．It can store energy and release sunshine. |
| D．It can absorb sunshine and give off heat. |
| A．The chemical reaction. |
| B．The movement of heat. |
| C．The form of electricity. |
| D．The physical reaction. |
| A．It is less expensive. |
| B．It is very powerful. |
| C．It is easily available. |
| D．It is less changeable. |
9 . I'm not much of a gardener. I love having beautiful flowers-but I don't have a good track record when it comes to making them grow.
A few months after our son left for the Middle East, my friend gifted me a box of tulip bulbs (郁金香球茎). She explained that these bulbs were put into the ground in the fall and lay sleeping all winter. They had all the nutrients they needed inside the bulb and would come out in the spring. ''When you see the leaves of the tiny flowers pushing toward the sun, you'll know that it's almost time for your son to come home. They'll give you what you need most.'' She walked me through the process of planting them. I thanked her — trying to show my gratitude for her gift.
It was a long winter — cold and dark. I endured both the weather and the loneliness and fear I felt with my son away. Dead leaves, frost and finally a heavy snow covered the area where I'd planted those flowers, and I soon forgot they were there.
Finally the weather began to warm. One day, as I walked down my front steps, I noticed an area of green. I bent down to inspect the situation more clearly and saw that those tulips had begun to grow, their tiny leaves forcing their way to the sun.
Day after day I noted the flowers' progress. And day after day, the time approached when my son would finally be home. Now with spring just around the corner, nothing could keep either of us from marching toward the light. Almost all of those bulbs bloomed. And with each brightly colored flower, I marked off one day closer to getting to hold my son in my arms again.
1. What can we know about the author?| A．She is a professional gardener. |
| B．She is not good at growing flowers. |
| C．She never plants flowers at home. |
| D．She often sends friends flowers as gifts. |
| A．The bitter winter reminded her of her son far away. |
| B．She was discouraged from making another attempt. |
| C．They failed to live through the cold and long winter. |
| D．She had no hope for beautiful flowers indeed. |
| A．A physical representation of the hope. |
| B．Things deep inside her heart and soul. |
| C．A lesson she will never forget completely. |
| D．The trouble she had in making them come out. |
| A．A dark winter with hope. | B．Planting hope in winter. |
| C．An area of green in spring. | D．Living a changeable life. |
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(Λ)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:(1)每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
(2)只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Do you believe love is the most important? In the early twenty century, homeless people were often brought up in orphanages, in that they received little love. At one time, Dr. Skeels took twelve children from an art orphanage or had a young girl look them each day. He also studied another the twelve children who are left in the orphanage all day long. He followed these children until they grew up, and the results were shocked. The children staying all day in the orphanage were either dead or suffering from serious illnesses. However, the twelve children loved by the girl were all healthy and independently. The only differences between these children -- the love, made a great difference to us.
