1 . The earth has many mysteries for people to explore and we live on the earth for protection. Did you know that the earth has two North Poles? There’s the geographic North Pole, which never changes. And there’s the magnetic North Pole, which is always on the move. Over the past 150 years, the magnetic North Pole has casually wandered 685 miles across northern Canada. But right now it’s racing 25 miles a year to the northwest. This could be a sign that we’re about to experience something humans have never seen before: a magnetic polar flip. And when this happens, it could affect much more than just your compass.
Right now on the surface of the planet; it looks like it’s just a bar magnet. Our compasses are just pointing to one pole at a time because there’s mainly a two-pole system. But sometimes, the earth doesn’t just have a single magnetic North and South Pole. Evidence suggests that, for hundreds to thousands of years at a time, our planet has had four, six, and even eight poles. This is what has happened when the magnetic poles flipped in the past. And when it happens again, it won’t be good news for humans.
Now you might think, eight poles must be better than two. But the reality is that multiple magnetic fields would fight each other. This could weaken the earth’s protective magnetic field by up to 90% during a polar flip.
The earth’s magnetic field is what protects us from harmful space radiation which can damage cells and cause cancer. With a weaker field in place, some scientists think this could expose planes to higher levels of radiation, making flights less safe.
This could also disrupt the internal sense of direction in many animals that use the magnetic field for navigation. Even worse, it could make certain places on the planet too dangerous to live in. But what exactly will take place on the surface is less clear than what will undoubtedly happen in space.
Satellites and space missions will need extra shelter that we’ll have to provide ourselves. Without it, intense universal and solar radiation will fry circuit boards and increase the risk of cancer in astronauts.
1. Which of the following can best describe the earth’s magnetic field?| A．The protective umbrella of humans. | B．The navigation of satellites. |
| C．The center of the universe. | D．The focus of scientific research. |
| A．Being unable to find directions exactly. | B．Bearing very loud noise day and night. |
| C．Losing the ability to hunt for food. | D．Being unable to protect themselves from danger. |
| A．Astronauts are more likely to suffer from cancer. |
| B．The magnetic North Pole is moving faster than before. |
| C．There are always more than two magnetic poles on the earth at a time. |
| D．Flights aren’t allowed to travel as usual when the magnetic poles flip. |
| A．How and when will the poles flip? | B．The reasons why scientists research poles |
| C．What will happen when the poles flip? | D．The ways that scientists research poles |
2 . Humans are developing new places to live in. In the south of Silicon Valley sits the Monterey Peninsula, where you’ll find a moveable community that’s being designed as a rest region for the region’s tech elites(精英).
Walden Monterey was founded in 2016 by developer Nick Jekogian, who set out to turn the 609-acre land into a coastal “agrihood” community, a growing trend among the tech elites in which they avoid the idea of belonging to golf communities, unlike what the previous generations have done, and instead enjoy agricultural neighborhoods that focus on nature, farms, and outdoor living.
The property plans to build 22 homes in total, with the lots they sit costing about $1 million each(three lots have been sold, as of September 2018). After the sales are made, buyers can work with a team of more than 20 architects assembled by Jekogian to then pay additional millions each for home construction.
A key step in the buying process involves potential buyers actually visiting the land. Jekogian invites people to stay in “moveable rooms” or small moveable glass houses, which allow them to experience what living on the land would actually be like.
But now, Walden Monterey will soon provide a new way to try out the land. The design studio DFA, founded by Laith Sayigh, was approached by Walden Monterey to design a house for potential buyers to stay each in while they think about purchase decisions.
The 3D-printed houses, named Galini Sleeping Pods, are 300 square feet in size, can be moved anywhere, are powered by solar panels, wind turbines and Tesla batteries, and will cost about $250,000 each. Sayigh told Business Insider that they’ re not just a future staple for the Walden Monterey community, but that they represent the next generation of construction technology.
1. What life do the tech elites like according to the text?| A．Getting close to nature. | B．Playing golf after work. |
| C．Living in a big house. | D．Having a house in Silicon Valley. |
| A．To attract more people to visit the design studio DFA. |
| B．To give a rule for the future construction technology. |
| C．To call on architects to build more moveable communities. |
| D．To offer buyers chances to try living in a moveable house. |
| A．Solar panels. | B．The 3D-printed houses. |
| C．Tesla batteries. | D．The Walden Monterey Community. |
| A．The style of the houses depends on buyers’ own ideas. |
| B．Buyers should pay off the expense of the houses in one attempt. |
| C．The money spent on constructing the houses is more than the cost of the lots. |
| D．Buyers of the houses are forbidden to get involved in the process of constructing. |
3 . There are many resorts in the world. Make your Branson, Missouri vacation easy by booking a complete vacation package with general attractions, shows and more. Located in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, Branson also features numerous outdoor activity options for a varied vacation experience.
Two-night Branson Getaway Package
When planning a wonderful holiday to Branson, book the Two-night Branson Getaway Package, which includes two nights of staying, dinner and a show at the Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and admission to the traditional Acrobats (杂技) of Shanghai!
Price: Adult: $156.
Children: Ages 3-19: $81.22, Ages 0-2: Free.
Branson Dolly Parton’s Stampede Getaway
Whether you are planning a weekend holiday in Branson or a short mid-week trip, you will love the Branson Dolly Parton’s Stampede Getaway, which includes two nights of staying and Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner and Show!
Price: Adult: $ 156.
Children: Ages 3-19: $73.01, Ages 0-2: Free.
Silver Dollar City Package
Have the ultimate vacation in Branson with the Silver Dollar City Package, which includes two nights of staying, a two-day pass to Silver Dollar City, and dinner and a show aboard the Showboat Branson Belle!
Price: Adult: $315.
Children: Ages 3-19: $74. 00, Ages 0-2: Free.
Branson’s Fun for Kids Vacation
For an exciting vacation in Branson that children will simply love, book Branson’s Fun for Kids Vacation, which includes two nights of staying, admission to the Branson’s Wild World VIP Animal Adventure, Escape Mini Golf & Jungle Arcade, Hamners’ Unbelievable Magic Show, Fritz’s Adventure, a one-day pass to Silver Dollar City and admission to the Dolly Parton’s Stampede!
Price: Adult: $ 474.
Children: Ages 3-19: $68.78, Ages 0-2: Free.
1. Which vacation package will you choose if you want to watch a Chinese traditional art?| A．Silver Dollar City Package. | B．Branson’s Fun for Kids Vacation. |
| C．Two-night Branson Getaway Package. | D．Branson Dolly Parton’s Stampede Getaway. |
| A．$389. | B．$463. | C．$704. | D．$778. |
| A．Two nights of staying. | B．Silver Dollar City tickets. |
| C．A show at the Dolly Parton’s Stampede. | D．Admission to the Acrobats of Shanghai. |
