In the southern part of France, away from the charm of Paris and the scenic Riviera, lies Toulouse, often referred to as “La Ville Rose” or “The Pink City.” Its nickname comes from the unique terra-cotta bricks used in many of its, buildings, giving the city a distinctive style.
Historically, Toulouse traces its roots back to the ancient times. It was originally established by the Celts in the 4th century BC and later became a significant Roman settlement. The city’s strategic position near the Germane River made it a well-known trading center in ancient Europe. By the Middle Ages, Toulouse had become a major center of trade due to its dye industry. This trade brought immense wealth to the region, and the city’s grand houses and public buildings from this era reflect is opulence (繁华).
However, Toulouse was not just a center for trade. Its history is marked with intellectual pursuits. By the 13th century, Université de Toulouse was established, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. The institution attracted scholars from various parts of Europe.
In modern times, Toulouse is famous for its aerospace industry. Home to Airbus, one of the world’s largest commercial aircraft manufacturers, the city is a center point in global aviation. This modern achievement connects with Toulouse’s rich history, showcasing a combination of the old and the new.
One of the most significant landmarks in Toulouse is the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, an architectural marvel from the Romanesque period. The church stands as a testament to the city’s religious significance during the medieval (中世纪的) times. Another notable part is the Capitole de Toulouse, which houses the city hall and a grand opera building. Its facade, made with the characteristic pink bricks, showcases the essence (本质) of Toulouse.
Despite its historical significance and achievements, Toulouse often remains overshadowed by other French cities. Yet, those who went to this southern gem find themselves fond of its rich history, vibrant culture, and the warmth of its inhabitants.
Visiting Toulouse offers an opportunity to step back in time while remaining firmly grounded in the present. It’s a city that embraces is past, cherishes its traditions, yet looks forward with optimism. In the European cities, Toulouse shines as a wonderful, yet irreplaceable one.
1. Why is Toulouse called “La Ville Rose” or “The Pink City?”2. What are the reasons for Toulouse to become a center of trade in the history?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Basilica of Saint-Sernin stands as a testament to the city’s intellectual significance during medieval time.
4. In your opinion, which city in China is like Toulouse, which cherishes its traditions, yet looks forward with optimism? Why?
Are You a Scanner?
“I can never stick to anything.”
“I get bored as soon as I know how to do something.”
…
If you’ve ever said these to yourself, chances are good that you’re a Scanner. Unlike those people who seem to find and be satisfied with one area of interest, you’re born to be interested in many things. Instead of a disability to be overcome by a strong will, it is actually an exceptional gift, a whole new way of thinking.
Intense curiosity about many unrelated subjects is the most basic characteristics of a Scanner. Scanners are indeed unique beings, and they may not even recognize themselves because they seldom meet others like them. How do you know if you’re a Scanner? Let’s start by defining who isn’t one.
Those who find fulfillment in one field are called Divers. Examples of Divers include professional musicians, scientists, mathematicians, and others deeply involved in their fields. Scanners constantly seek new horizons, while Divers find satisfaction within their field.
To Scanners the world is like a big candy store full of fascinating opportunities, and they reach out and stuff their pockets excitedly. However, this may not last forever. As kids, most Scanners have been having a great time! At school no one objects to their many interests, because every hour of every student’s school day is devoted to a different subject. But at some point in high school or soon after, everyone is expected to make a choice, and that’s when Scanners run into trouble. While some people happily narrow down to one subject, Scanners simply can’t. Conventionally, if you’re a jack-of-all-trades, you’ll be a master of none.
Identifying yourself as a Scanner means changing the way you see yourself in the world. It starts with understanding that you should stop trying to fit into the accepted norm at once and begin learning about who you really are.
In conclusion, if you’re a Scanner, embrace your unique nature. Your diverse interests are a gift, not a weakness.
1. What is the most basic characteristic of a Scanner?2. Why do Scanners run into trouble when they grow up?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.Identifying yourself as a Scanner means you should change the way you see the world.
4. Are you a Diver or a Scanner? How would you embrace your unique nature?(In about 40 words)
Just as noise pollution negatively impacts human health, it also affects wildlife. It can affect animal communication, their abilities to find food and impact where they live. A recent study published in Biology Letters found that human-created noise is affecting a wide range of animals. Noise pollution is caused by cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, factories, industrial activities and sounds from cities, among others. Researchers found that wildlife in many different land and water ecosystems showed significant responses to human-created noise.
For example, bats use ultrasonic sound waves to get around and to find food. However, noise pollution affects this and causes them to spend more time and energy locating their food source. Shipping lanes in the UK can be deafening to harbor seals, and noises from ships are seriously impacting killer whales ability to find food and avoid potential dangers, according to episode 2 of CBC s Killers: J pod on the brink (边缘). And it’s no secret that many human-created conditions, like noise, are changing the behavior of birds. You may be surprised to learn that plants are also impacted, since pollinators (传粉昆虫) often relocate to quieter areas.
Not unlike the impact of light pollution on insects, noise pollution is causing change. It can change the types of species living in many different ecosystems, which in turn impacts the functions of these areas, according to The Guardian.
The good news is that if noise is reduced or simply turned off, it more or less removes the issue. The impact does not remain in the same way as other forms of pollution, like plastic or chemicals. And efforts are already underway in Canada.
BC Ferries is working to lessen the effects of underwater noise, especially along ferry routes that pass through critical habitats. WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) Canada is encouraging the federal government to increase protective measures in the Arctic. They’re also working with international colleagues to address the increase of noise in the region as a result of new shipping routes.
While these initiatives demonstrate progress, tightening rules and regulations around noise pollution is an important measure for conserving wildlife in Canada.
1. Why do bats spend more time looking for food?2. What is the influence of noise pollution on ecosystems?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Noise pollution affects animals in many ways, and compared with other forms of pollution, noise pollution is harder to deal with.
4. Please give some advice on how to reduce the effects of noise pollution on animals. (In about 40 words)
4 . It's March, 2050.
Frank and Mary Smith wake up in their comfortable house in the morning and switch on the bedroom computer to get the latest news. They used to read the Times, but changed to electronic newspapers many years ago.
There is the usual news about space: another space flight has returned from Mars and scientists have discovered a new planet. Then they turn to business news: the Us dollar has risen greatly in Shanghai, one of the world's leading business centres. Mary tells the computer to buy 5,000 dollars, and there is a quick response that it has been done. As they watch the screen, Mary orders one of the household robots to make coffee for them. Frank disappears into the study to join a video conference with his partners around the world. He is a computer engineer, working for several companies. This is his third job: he used to be in marketing and then television. Mary has a quick look at the shopping channels—the usual selection of electric cars, household robots and cheap travel offers-before picking up the video phone to talk to her assistant. She also has a job and she is doing medical research. Both she and Frank used to have an office desk in London, but in 2023 they decided to move to the seaside and work from home.
·Frank and Mary have one daughter, Louise, who also has her own workstation at home. She goes to school only one day a week, mainly to play with other students. Classrooms disappeared in 2030 because there was no longer any need for them: communications systems have made it much easier to learn at home. Louise, now thirteen, is studying Chinese at present, which has become a world language as important as English. Louise has many Chinese friends. They communicate by computer. According to the family doctor, Louise will live to at least 130. Her wish is to work for a few decades（十年）and then spend her time on music and painting.
1. Why do Frank and Mary switch on the bedroom computer in the morning?2. Who makes coffee for Mary and Frank?
3. How does Frank work with others from home?
4. What are the two world languages in 2050?
Imagine a world where people live in modern homes nearly seven and a half feet above the sea. Rows of “new living pods” with the most advanced technology and drones (无人机) to deliver necessities will hit the market this year.
Ocean Builders, a Panama-based company that specializes in creative sea technology, showed what they describe as the “world’s first homes that are good for the ecosystem (生态系统)”. One of its three home models that are currently in production-the EcoPod, is designed to be a more affordable choice that features a rain collecting roof, huge windows and a smaller floor plan. It’s also built to be placed in a box to ship wherever a customer wants to set it up. The company’s long-term goal is to make environmentally friendly homes made from as many natural materials as possible. Some pods are under building now on the north coast of Panama in the Linton Bay Marina. SeaPods will be put primarily in warm, wet places.
“We are planting the SeaPod seed here in Panama, but our final goal is to have SeaPod homes in every corner of the ocean, all around the world, ” Ocean Builder’s CEO Grant Romnudt said in a statement.
Each pod has 833 square feet of living space, a master bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and spare space. “We are trying to keep its price as close as possible to a common U. S. family home for the smallest pod with the choice to add features such as air conditioning and advanced kitchen, etc.” the company’s website says.
Orders for the first samples (样品) of customer pods will be placed in September. Boats and local water taxis will be used to send people to their SeaPods.Drones will deliver things such as food and medicine. A separate ship will collect larger deliveries, rubbish and wastes.
A “PodWatch Lifeguard Drone” will keep an eye on the water and send help if the need arises. This can be used either through a wristband with an SOS button that when pushed, a surface drone will appear and give you something to catch, or an AI camera watching the area.
These SeaPods aren’t just for looks. They also have the power to build new developing underwater ecosystems. SeaPods add shade, which would eventually attract sea life like fish,” Ocean Builders says.
“Every SeaPod that goes in the water gets us one step closer to recovering a sea ecosystem,” their website says.
1. How will the necessities be delivered to the living pods? (不多于4个单词)2. Where will the SeaPods be put primarily?(不多于6个单词)
3. When will the first samples of customer pods be ordered? (不多于 5个单词)
4. What will be used to send people to their SeaPods?(不多于7个单词)
5. What power do the SeaPods have according to Ocean Builders?(不多于12个单词)
