IS EXPLORING SPACE
A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY?
NASA satellite image of Typhoon Goni
Countries around the globe are spending billions of dollars and lots of time on various space missions, whether to Mars or other planets much further away. Some people argue that we should stop wasting time and money exploring space. Instead, we should feed the world’s poor and find immediate solutions to other problems, such as pollution and fatal diseases. However, others feel this is a shallow view which fails to realise how exploring space helps us.
Firstly, exploring space has already made a difference in the fight against world hunger. It has directly resulted in the many satellites that now orbit Earth. A number of the satellites record data on land and weather patterns. Then the data is transmitted to scientists on Earth. After careful analysis, the scientists can provide useful recommendations and advice for farmers. As a result, space-based science has helped farming in its efforts to grow enough food to feed Earth’s increasing population.
Secondly, space exploration has already promoted technological improvements that benefit us all. High-end products around the world are made to a higher standard now because of advanced technology which was first created to meet the requirements for space exploration. For example, space technologies have helped the research and development of different types of new material. They have also helped companies make better heart monitors and other machines that doctors regularly use. Today, space technologies are widely used in all kinds of industries, and everyday products such as GPS, memory foam pillows, and smartphone cameras are changing our lives.
Finally, sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world’s problems and even to find ways to solve them. Seeing pictures of our planet as an island in a black sea made people realise that our planet’s resources are limited. In order to provide for such a rapidly increasing population, scientists are trying to find other planets that could one day be our new home. The greatest attention at present is on Mars because it is closer to Earth. In the future, humans may live on both planets.
In closing, exploring space provides the world with many different benefits. Therefore, it should continue so as to provide new and better solutions to people’s short-term and long-term problems.
| A. Space exploration has already promoted technological improvements that benefit us. B. Sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world’s problems and even to find ways to solve them. C. Different opinions about space exploration. D. Exploration space provides the world with many benefits, so it should continue. E. Exploration space has made a difference in the fight against world hunger. |
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Importance of Festivals in a Child’s Life
Festivals are a part of our culture. We have grown up around them. Children enjoy festivals more than adults. In fact, there are a lot of things that children can learn from celebrating festivals.
Festivals mean that the entire family can be together. Kids and parents find time to help each other to decorate their houses, prepare delicacies(美食), make gifts and so on. This allows children to form a stronger bond with their family and relatives.
Create a sense of togetherness
Celebrations always involve people coming together and helping each other to have a good time. In fact, it brings families closer and makes them more connected.
Festivals are a great way to understand one’s culture. A child can be taught more about their culture and their country during festivals and celebrations. This makes them proud of their country and culture.
Festivals also mean gift-giving and sharing. The exchange of gifts teaches children to share joys. When children participate in donating or gifting to the poor during festivals, they learn to share and care for others. While celebrations can be a fun time for children, the lessons they receive are even more valuable and long-lasting.
A. Bring family togetherB. Learn the value of sharing
C. Understanding their parents
D. Help them know their culture
| A. Staying up the Whole Night on New Year’s Eve B. Spring Festival Couplets C. New Year paintings D. The Poster Bearing the Character “Fu” Paper-cut for Window Decoration E. Paying New Year Calls F. Spring Festival Goods G. Red packets H. Gift Money to Children I. Dinner of the New Year’s Eve |
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Robots on the farm
What can drones (无人机) do? Their many uses include taking pictures from the sky, observing wild animals and delivering packages. Now these small flying robots are leading a new farming revolution (革命).
When equipped with cameras and other data-gathering devices, drones provide us with an eye in the sky. Here are a few of the farming-related jobs drones can do.
Drones can scan crops using different kinds of light. Then they produce multispectral images (多谱图像) that can help us find sickly yellow plants within fields of green. Drones can also detect bacteria (检测细菌) that are harmful to crops in the air from a few kilometers away. Farmers can check the drones’ air samples and try to find ways to protect their crops before the bacteria get to them.
When flying over cattle, drones can track the livestock (牲畜) and find out where fences need fixing. People can also equip drones with thermal imagers (热像仪) and night-vision cameras. This can help farmers know if they have their cattle lost and what animals are a threat to their cattle.
Most fields aren’t perfectly flat. After watering, some places may dry out faster than others. Other spots might not get water at all. Drones can scan the field and make a 3-D map. Using the map, farmers can figure out which parts of a field are dry or need improvement.
A. Counting cattle
B. Warning farmers
C. Watching water
D. Looking for sick crops
Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and there are good reasons for that.
Eating breakfast is good for both adults and children in many ways:
Your body is fasting (禁食) during the hours when you are asleep at night. So eating breakfast means you “break the fast” and gives your body and head the energy that they need to work with. Starting the day with more energy means you’ll feel better throughout the day.
A healthy eating habit is important to your health. By eating breakfast, you will feel more pleasant and be less likely to overeat later in the day. If you are trying to lose weight, don’t try to cut calories by skipping (略过) breakfast. Studies show that most people who are thinner eat breakfast every day.
Better at Work and School.
Studies show that adults who eat a healthy breakfast are more active during their workday than those who do not. Children who don’t have breakfast get sleepy at school, have a harder time paying attention, and eat more junk food later in the day. Kids who do eat breakfast get higher test grades and perform better in sports.
Breakfast is a great chance to eat nutritious (有营养的) foods like whole grains, fruits, and dairy products to make sure that you are getting all of the nutrition you need.
A. Good Nutrition
B. Energy for Your Day
C. A Healthy Eating Habit
D. Better at Work and School
| A Some students are just crazy about computer games. People have to accept the fact that these machines are having a terrible effect on students’ reading ability. Students are no longer interested in reading these days. Instead, they just stare at the computer screen, pushing those buttons. They don’t have to use their brains or their memory. Obviously, these machines are the cause of so much underachievement in today’s society. | B Game developers worry about how to prevent people copying the games illegally. Some companies have been trying to make sure that everyone who plays the game is a legal user. For example, you might have to have an internet connection to play. This is a problem for some people if their internet connection isn’t reliable. So they would rather buy pirated versions (盗版) which don’t have these limits. |
| C I realize that a lot of these play-for-free games are designed to make money. You play for free, but once you’ve devoted time and effort to your game, you start paying real money to progress further into the game. With people spending lots of money on virtual (虚拟的) items, I can see why governments might want to make rules for games like these. | D A lot of games are attractive because the virtual world is fairer than the real world. Your success isn’t determined by your age, social position or education. Besides, the sense of being together in the gaming world is really strong. Therefore, people should stop blaming these games and start thinking about how we can bring the good things of gaming into our real lives. |
How to Introduce Yourself in Class
Introducing yourself to a class, whether you are the student or the teacher, can feel frightening. Here are some suggestions that can help.
This will make you appear more confident. This will also help you speak more clearly than if you were to stay seated. It may feel awkward to stand up, but your introduction will be over more quickly than you think.
Even if you are super nervous, smiling will make your voice sound calmer and will help you mask that nervousness. It also shows your classmates and your teacher that you are friendly and approachable.
You want everyone to be able to hear you, so when you introduce yourself, do so in a clear, loud voice. Don’t be shy or stare down at the ground.
Give your name first.
It’s helpful to give your first name, pause, and then give your first and last name, like “Hello, my name is June, June Thompson.” The repetition makes it more likely that others will remember your name.
If you are involved in sports or have pets or like to travel, the end of your introduction is a good place to give this information. You could say something like, “When I’m not studying, I like to train for and run in half-marathons.” This gives your classmates and teacher a memorable activity to tie to your name.
A. Speak with confidence.
B. Offer personal details, like hobbies or interests you have.
C. Think something positive.
D. Smile when you speak.
E. Stand up when it’s your turn to introduce yourself.
8 . Nowadays, many people find it difficult to slow down. Fast-paced lifestyles make it hard for many people to really relax. Some people try to find nice places for relaxation. But in fact, you don’t have to do that. The following may help you relax in a quick and easy way.
The ability of relaxation depends more on your thinking than your situation. The next time when you suffer from worry, think about the situation. What is the problem? What is the cause? Most importantly, what can you do about it? Make an “action plan” or a “to-do list” to help you feel less worried.
Even the busiest people arrange short periods of relaxation in their timetable. They do so because they know it’s necessary. The time you spend relaxing is an important period. A 10-minute break in the middle of a long workday can help you a lot. You can find an activity, such as exercise, a shower or watching a favorite TV show, to make yourself come to life.
Unluckily, not being able to relax causes some people to lose their most important rest—sleep. If that happens to you, write everything in your mind in your diary before going to bed. Write down both problems and possible solutions. This can help you release thoughts that might prevent you from getting necessary sleep.
Finally, accept your disadvantages. You can’t do everything perfectly, but you can get the rest and relaxation you need to do many things better
A. A habit of relaxing
B. Better thinking
C. Not thinking too much
D. Restful sleep
9 . Ways to Improve Your Health
Sometimes it may seem difficult to improve our health. If so, the following health habits may help you.
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Research (研究) shows that eating a meal in the morning results in less body fat and less chance of overeating. Eating breakfast can help people feel better physically and mentally through the day.
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Poor sleep can influence our memory and learning. It can also cause traffic accidents! Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep seem to get into more accidents. So stay safe and get enough sleep!
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Walking is an easy way to add exercise to our lives. Instead of meeting friends for a meal, meet them for a walk. As you walk, you will see the beautiful world around you. Once you try, you will find that adding a walk into your daily life is very easy.
● Have a hobby (爱好).
A hobby could be running, reading or making something with your hands. Hobbies help people to relax and rest. Hobbies bring us joy. Everyone could get a little more joy in their lives!
A. Get enough sleep.
B. Eat breakfast every morning.
C. Take a walk every day.
D. Make social connections.
When it comes to learning English, lots of people hate learning idioms. However, if you don’t learn idioms, you may not always understand everything you hear or read in English. So, let’s try these tips to make remembering the idioms a piece of cake.
You’d better develop a good habit of taking notes when you learn English. When you hear or read new words or expressions and you don’t understand them, write them down in your notebook. Then you can go to ask your teacher for help or look them up in your dictionary.
Sometimes the context can help you know the meaning of an idiom. For example, if two students are talking about one of their classmates, they say something like “She always has the right answer. She’s a real teacher’s pet.” You know they are talking about a clever girl. Then you can know that “teacher’s pet” means “their favorite student of the teacher”.
If you think you know how to use an idiom, then don’t hold your tongue! Practice it with your friends or in class. It’s the only way to really learn how to use it.
A. Practice
B. Take notes
C. Read them aloud
D. Use context
