阅读下列短文并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词,每空格1词(共10个小题;每小题1分,满分10分)
Zebras have their own bug repellent(驱虫剂)?
Eww bugs! They are so annoying! We humans are lucky that we can apply repellents to avoid nasty bites. But what’s an animal to do? They have no choice but to spend their days shooing them off with their tails, unless, of course, they are zebras, who apparently have their own automatic repellent--- their striped skin!
Scientists had originally thought that the reason why the animal had developed the black and white lines was to help protect itself from predators in the African savannah, because the stripes make it difficult to single out one zebra that is traveling with a herd.While that may be true, the theory has never been tested or proven. Now the experts have another---that the stripes have evolved to repel the annoying horse flies that not only feed off their blood, but also, transmit dangerous germs into the bodies of these innocent animals.
The study was performed by a team of Swedish scientists. One of the clues that got them thinking along these lines was the fact that darker horses got bitten more often than light-colored or white ones.
The fact that zebras are born black and only develop strips as they grow older made the scientists theorize that the stripes may be something the animals have developed to make themselves less attractive to flies.
To test if this may be the case, they painted some boards at a horse-infested horse farm in Budapest with patterns of black and white stripes of varying widths and applied a layer of glue on them. What they noticed was that the places where the black and white stripes were at their narrowest (similar to what zebras have) attracted the fewest flies. They achieved similar results when they painted horses with black and white zebra-like stripes.
While the research are not sure why this may be the case, they believe it may be something to do with the way insects operate---horseflies are attracted to horizontally polarized light(偏振光); since white does not reflect it, white horses are luckier than black ones. But zebras seem to be the luckiest of all. When the researchers measured the polarized light reflected from real zebra skins, they found that it matched light patterns that were the least attractive to horseflies.
While this theory does make logical sense, nobody is 100 percent sure that it is really true, given that it has never been tested on a real zebra. If it is true, it does raise the question of why a horse, a close relative of the zebra has failed to develop stripes. The researchers believe that this could be because there are more horseflies in Africa, where zebras reside, then anywhere else in the world.
Title |
Zebras have their own bug repellent? |
|
Reasons for zebras developing their strips |
Original belief |
With the black and white lines, one zebra is difficult to single out while traveling with a herd, thus ______ it from its enemies. |
New theory |
Zebras, residing in Africa where there are most horseflies in the world ,have developed strips to avoid being_______ . |
|
A study |
Researchers |
A team of scientists from _______ |
________ |
To test if strips are developed to make zebras less attractive to flies. |
|
Clues |
*White or light-colored horses are less _____ to get bitten than dark ones. *Zebras develop strips as they grow older though born black . |
|
Method |
*Some boards at a horse farm are painted with patterns of black and white stripes variously ______ , a layer of glue applied on them *Measured the polarized light reflected from real zebra skins |
|
________ |
*The places where the black and white stripes were similar to the ______zebras have attracted the fewest flies *Strips of zebras matched light patterns that were the least attractive to horseflies |
|
Principle of zebras’ black and white strips repelling the flies |
Horizontally polarized light, which white does not reflect, _______ to horseflies. |
|
Conclusion |
_______tested on real zebras, the theory isn’t definitely true. |
请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。
注意:请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上。每个空格只填一个单词。
Trust is in rare supply these days. People are having trouble trusting each other, according to an AP-GFK poll conducted in November 2013, which found that Americans are suspicious of each other in their everyday life. Only one-third of Americans say most people can be trusted—down from half who felt that way in 1972. A record high of nearly two-thirds says “you can’t be too careful” in dealing with people in 2013.
This can be carried over into the workplace, where employees want their leaders to be more trustworthy. Employees have grown tired of unexpected outcomes resulting from the lack of preparation. They want to be informed of any change management efforts before—not after the fact. Employees desire to know what is expected of them and be given the opportunity to better themselves, rather than be told they are not qualified for new roles and responsibilities.
Here are four early warning signs for you to course-correct when employees are having trouble trusting their leaders.
Lack courage
Leaders that don’t stand up for what they believe in are difficult to respect and trust. Too many leaders waste too much of their valuable time trying to act like other leaders in the organization—rather than attempting to establish their own identity and leadership style. Employees know that if their leaders are not savvy (精明) enough to move themselves into a position of greater influence, it will make it much more difficult for them to get noticed and discovered as well. When leaders lack the courage to enable their full potential and that of others, it becomes a challenge to trust.
Self-centered
When a leader is only looking out for themselves and lacks any sense of commitment to the advancement of their employees—this shuts off employees quickly. Great leaders are great coaches and are always looking to help their employees grow. When leaders lack any real desire to coach or 'guide the career advancement of their employees—it becomes increasingly difficult for employees to trust them. But when leaders are too disruptive (指手画脚), their employees sense that they are in it for themselves and/or don’t trust the talent around them.
Reputation issues
When people begin to speak negatively about their leader, it makes it more difficult for others to trust their intentions. For example, look at what has happened to President Barack Obama since December 2009 when his approval rating was 69%. Four years later, Obama’s approval rating is at 43%. Many who have followed him for years are now having trouble trusting him.
Every leader must be aware that they are constantly being evaluated and thus they can never grow self-satisfied. When they do, this begins to negatively impact their reputation and the trust employees have in their leadership.
Inconsistent Behavior
People are more inclined to trust those who are consistent with their behavior. Isn’t it easy to begin questioning one’s judgment when they are inconsistent? When everyone but the leader is on board with a strategy—you begin to wonder if their intentions are to support the organization’s advancement or their own. Leaders need to refresh their leadership style before they lose the trust of their employees.
This is what today leaders must consider: how to lead in new ways that focus less on oneself, but more on the betterment of a healthier whole.
Trust between employees and their leaders |
|
Problem |
【1】 _________ has been declining among Americans in their daily life as well as in the workplace. |
Employees’ hopes for leaders 【2】 _________ trust |
● Employees want to be 【3】 _________ to get prepared for any change management efforts in advance. ● Employees desire to know their leaders’ expectations of them and want to get 【4】 _________ to better themselves. |
Warnings for leaders to 【5】 _________ the breakdown of trust |
● Don’t 【6】 _________ other leaders and stand up for what you believe in. ● Be 【7】 _________ to helping your employees grow. ● Never let 【8】 _________ negatively impact your reputation. ● Behave【9】 _________ or your judgment will be questioned. |
Suggestion |
For leaders, more focus on the betterment of a healthier whole should be taken into 【10】 _________. |
Harmless fun and bullying(欺负) separated by a very thin line.This line is crossed on a daily basis,without being known.This full extent of this line crossing isn’t often felt until much later.Blind eyes are often being turned,and the problem is becoming more and more serious.
Harmless fun occurs when nobody has hurt feelings and laughter follows.There is no harm in the fun,and all people can enjoy the joking.Bullying occurs when someone is looked down upon.Not every joke is funny,and sometimes we can cruelly hurt somebody without our knowledge.
The most difficult part of the line between harmless fun and bullying is the simple fact that everybody has their own line,and even it’s different from time to time,depending on a certain character.Everybody has their own limit of tolerance,and harmless fun that is close to bullying usually gather up the bottled emotions that are ready to break out.No matter how strong the friendships are,words can treat them apart from the root,destroying the very foundation that they have been built upon.
The key is that the line should never be crossed.Harmless fun has its time and place,since laughter is the best medicine for what worries you,but it should never be taken to the extreme,where someone is feeling down.
The best possible way to ensure that you aren’t the one responsible for linecrossing is to think before you speak.We should first try to understand before we try to be understood.If the words you feel like saying to someone aren’t the words you would want to say to your parent,brother,child,or good friend,then chances are that you should think of something else to say.
Saying things behind someone else’s back is no good,either,because those words often find their target finally,and usually the comments have been misunderstood and the intention,while perhaps harmless,tends to turn towards bullying.
Title:Harmless Fun and Bullying
______ |
People often cross the line between harmless fun and bullying,resulting in bullying,which is often hidden. |
|
_______ |
Harmless fun |
Hurting nobody’s _______ and bringing laughter |
Bullying |
●Making someone feel _______ ●Hurting somebody unconsciously |
|
Reasons |
●People’s own line differing from time to time because of _______ ●Harmless fun possibly turning into bullying once it develops ____ people’s own limit of tolerance |
|
_______ |
●Trying not to_______ ●Dealing with harmless fun properly especially when one is______ ●_______________ ●Trying to understand before trying to be understood. ●Regarding the listener as your parent,brother,child or good friend ●Not making comments behind one’s back in order to avoid being misunderstood |
认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。
注意:每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题卡相应题号的横线上。
How to Build Confidence
Everybody in this world wants to be rich and successful. But, the big question is HOW? How can you turn yourself into a popular personality?
Well, you need to have confidence. Confidence is the feeling of certainty and trusting in one’s own ability.
Start your journey to become successful by following these seven confidence-building steps.
Recognize what makes you feel inferior -- Let’s accept the fact that no one in this world is perfect. Everyone has some shortcomings and it is natural. So, if there is something that makes you feel ashamed of yourself just make a note of it. Instead of being upset over your shortcomings, you need to figure out ways to overcome them.
Dress smartly and look more attractive -- Yes, you are right that a person should be beautiful at heart but you ought to work on your looks too. You might have not realized but dressing up nicely can increase your confidence. Work hard to improve your looks and you will definitely notice a positive change in your personally.
Don’t worry about what others say -- Those who think about others car never succeed in their lives. So, if you really wish to increase your confidence levels, stop thinking about the world right away. Have faith in your capabilities and show the world that you are a leader. And just in case you are afraid of criticism, your dream of becoming successful person will always remain a dream.
Stay happy – Happiness plays an important part in a successful life. So, try to find out what makes you happy and keep yourself involved in those activities only.
Be a curious learner -- Learning is part of our life. It is a continuous process which lasts till the last breath. Knowledge not only makes you superior but enriches your personality altogether.
Express yourself -- There are many people who don’t express their feelings and opinions at all just because they are afraid of being laughed at. Well, don’t be afraid and express yourself wherever possible, it will make people realize your presence and you may get the response. So, the next time you have something on your mind, say it aloud.
Self esteem and confidence are some of the most important things you need to be successful in life.
How to become
_ |
Confidence is the feeling of certainty and trusting in one’s own ability. |
|
_ |
Realize the of your frustration |
_ down what makes you upset and overcome it. |
Dress smartly and look more attractive |
We like warm-hearted persons of course, but you ought to work on your looks as . |
|
_ worrying about what others say |
Believe in your capabilities and show the world that you are a leader. |
|
Stay happy |
Only in the activities which make you happy. |
|
Be a leader of |
Knowledge not only makes you superior but enriches your personality altogether. |
|
express yourself |
People will find you are and you may get the response. |
There are a number of advantages when it comes to living alone. However, it also comes with a few safety concerns. You still never know who will be around the corner. Don’t become another victim; be sure to follow our tips.
1. All doors should be kept locked.
Always keep your doors locked when you are in your apartment or dorm. Make sure the doors are closed behind you when you come into the building and never leave your room unlocked, even when you are in it. There’s always a chance that someone might sneak in while you are unaware. Always try to remember to close doors behind you to ensure your safety.
2. Don’t lose your keys.
Even if you do everything you can to keep the doors locked, criminals might still be able to come into your house with a key. Always know where your keys are to prevent this. Never put them down in a public place or give them to friends. Also, before you bring your car into the repair shop, take off the house keys.
3. When it comes to safety, standing up for yourself is important.
If you aren’t getting all the security features you want, don’t be afraid to ask. If your lighting situation is less than ideal, discuss this with your supervisor or landlord. Talk to the campus security organization if you think a security phone near your dorm is a good idea. Request that the building employ someone to monitor those entering and leaving the building. You should feel safe where you reside (居住于), so stand up for your rights.
4. Be careful.
You still might find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. Check your peephole (窥视孔) before letting anyone in. Whenever you witness something around your building that makes you uncomfortable or suspicious just dial 911. It is a good idea to always walk with a friend instead of alone. Become familiar with people who live in the building, so you can keep track of anyone that is a stranger.
to follow when living alone |
Leave your doors as soon as you come into the building so that someone is not able to sneak in. |
Never lose your or give them to others. |
|
up for your rights: Discuss this with your supervisor or landlord if you are not with your lighting situation. Request the building to have someone to monitor those entering and leaving the building. Ask the campus security organization to fix a security near your dorm. |
|
Be careful Dial 911 when you find something uncomfortable or . When walking, keep your friends in instead of alone. Be familiar with people in the neighborhood so that you will pay attention to . |
For many years, parties have been an important social event. When 25 people or more gather at a certain location in order to have fun and engage in conversation, it can be considered a party. Parties usually have different drinks and food choices, and music is a large part of the event, very often.
Birthday parties are held in honor of an individual who is having a birthday, and presents and gifts are usually brought by attendees(出席者).The song “Happy Birthday to You” is very often sung by partygoers for the person who is having a birthday.
There are different kinds of Birthday parties. Adults may have birthday parties in restaurants or nightclubs, while children usually have parties at home or at funhouses. Sometimes children may have parties at water parks or amusement parks as well.
Birthday parties may also happen in the manner of a surprise party, where the person having a birthday is not told about the birthday preparations. Surprise parties include guests hiding in a location where the party is to take place, then shouting “surprise!” when the guest of honor enters.
Sporting event parties usually take place around a specific sports happening, such as the Super Bowl, the World Cup or the World Series. People gather and eat, drink, and laugh as they talk about the happenings of the games within that sporting event. These types of parties are very lively and usually loud.
Nightly socialization parties include house parties and dance parties. House parties sometimes are held by teenagers and young adults of college age in a set location; private houses are often the location of choice. People who manage the music are hired to provide musical entertainment. Usually alcohol is included, resulting in trouble for the attendants of the party.
Dance parties include energetic music like disco or pop. People gather at these parties to dance, drink, and have a good time. Usually people at these parities will be of younger ages between 18-28.
Title: |
||
Definition |
25 people or more gather to have fun and engage in conversation. Different drinks, food choices and served |
|
|
Activities |
Honor the individual Give presents and gifts. “Happy Birthday to you” for the individual. |
Location |
adults: in restaurants or nightclubs children: at home, funhouses, water parks or amusement parks |
|
A surprise party |
the person having a birthday about the birthday preparations Hide in the party location. Shout at the guest of honor. |
|
Sporting event parties |
People gather or watch a specific sports event happening with food, drink and laughter. The parties are |
|
|
House parties: teenagers and young adults of college age Dance parties: adults between |
请认真阅读下面短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填上一个最恰当的单词。注意:请将答案写在答题纸上。
Imagine living in a country torn by war. Or maybe you live in a place where there are few jobs and little chance to earn a living. Your family decides to move — not to another town, but to another country. You and your family have become immigrants. People are called immigrants when they move to a foreign country to make their homes.
People become immigrants for many reasons. The most common one is economic opportunities. Most immigrants are attracted to other countries by the promise of jobs, farmland, or business opportunities.
Other people become immigrants in order to get away from mistreatment or natural disasters. They are refugees. Some refugees move to avoid wars and political unrest. Others are seeking freedom to express their religious views. Still others are uprooted by disasters, such as terrible flooding or drought.
Some people have become immigrants against their will. Captured in Africa, shipped to foreign lands and forced to work as slaves, many early African immigrants to North and South America came in chains.
Except for Native Americans, all people came to the United States from someplace else. For nearly 500 years, immigrants have landed on America’s shores seeking a better life. Throughout American history, immigrants often worked low-paying, dangerous jobs that other people refused to do.
Immigrants from around the world helped shape American life. Many immigrants absorbed the customs and language common to most Americans. They also brought their own traditions, including music and foods. Over time, many of these traditions have become part of American life.
The first European immigrants to America hoped to colonize new lands. By the mid-1500s, Spaniards had ventured into Florida, California, and the American Southwest. French immigrants arrived in the early 1600s and built their first colony in Canada. The English also arrived in the early 1600s. They established 13 colonies along America’s Atlantic Coast.
In the 1700s, England became the major power in colonial North America. But many European immigrants came to live in the English colonies. They included people from Sweden, Holland, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland.
Immigrants still come to the United States seeking freedom and economic opportunities. Most new immigrants no longer come from Europe. They come mainly from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Asia.
Today, the U.S. government limits the number of immigrants into the country each year. People who sneak illegally into the United States are called illegal immigrants, who, if caught, would be sent back to their home countries.
Key Points |
Detailed Information |
|
Immigrants are those who move to a foreign country to make their homes. |
Reasons |
Most people come for opportunities, such as good jobs, farmlands, or business opportunities. Some move to the US to away from wars or disasters. Some people immigrate to for religious freedom. Some people have become immigrants , like many early African immigrants. |
History |
French immigrants Canada in the early 1600s and built their first colony there. The English also came to the early 1600s and thirteen colonies along America’s Atlantic Coast. In the 1700s, European immigrants came to live in the English colonies, people from Sweden, Holland and etc. are . |
Today |
from the past, the origins of most new immigrants are mainly Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Asia, instead of Europe. The US government erects dams to the number of immigrants into the country each year in check. Illegal immigrants, if caught, would be sent back to their home countries. |
Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions according to the information given in the passage.
“Let’s Talk”:The Free Advice Project
A few weeks ago, I took a walk around Washington Square Park. I met all the usual people:street performers, the Pigeon Guy, a group of guitarists singing in harmony. But off to the side, sitting on a bench was a woman doing something vastly different—giving free advice.
A week or two later, I set up an interview with her and we discussed her project at length.
Lisa Podell, 32, started the Free Advice Project this past May. It began as an experiment;she sat in Washington Square Park for a day with a sign that read “Free Advice” as a simple way to reach out to people. Podell was astonished at the strong response.
Podell admits that she was doubtful at first, but now she describes the project as mutually (相互地) beneficial. People learn from her—but she also learns from them. She says that the majority of those who come to her are dealing with some pretty heavy issues, and they expect her not only to listen, but also provide real answers.
Having worked as a full time teacher and now as an adolescent advisor, Podell believes that talking things out is an important in the decision-making process.
Sometimes, people walk around all day, keeping their problems in their own head and thinking about them in the same way. Podell simply strives to provide people with perspective.
I asked if there is a future plan for the Free Advice Project. Podell said she would like to promote it to each public space in New York, which would be carried out by various volunteers across the city.
It was truly inspiring to meet someone with such a big heart, especially in New York—where it is sometimes very hard to find anybody to listen. (303 words)
In what way was Podell different from other people in the park? (No more than 6 words) (2 marks)
___________________________________________________________________________________
What do people in need expect Podell to do? (No more than 10 words) (3 marks)
___________________________________________________________________________________
According to Podell, what should people do when making decisions?
(No more than 6 words) (2 marks)
___________________________________________________________________________________
How would Podell promote her project in New York? (No more than 15 words) (3 marks)
___________________________________________________________________________________
From bankers to factory staff, employees in the west face the bleak prospect (暗淡的前景) of losing their jobs as a global recession (衰退) starts to bite. For colleagues in the East the pain is more likely to come through a pay cut.
Human resource experts say cultural differences explain why Asian firms try harder to keep jobs in difficult times, which will stop unemployment and may help keep Asian economies afloat at a time of slowing exports.
The East Asian attitude may also make it easier for firms to recover quickly from the economic downturn since they will not need to rehire or train new staff, leaving some experts predicting Western shift to Eastern flexibility.
“In the Confucian (儒家的) attitude, the right thing to do is to share the burden. There is the sense of collective responsibility whereas (然而) in the West, it’s more about the individual survival,” said Michael Benotlel, associated professor of organizational behavior at Singapore Management University.
Steven Pang, Asian Regional Director for Aquent, a headhunting firm, said in many East Asian companies there was a responsibility “ to take care of the members of the family and go through the pain together” even if that meant causing losses.
US firms from General Motors to Goldman Sachs plan to lay off workers by the thousand. But at the Asian units of Western multinationals, job cuts will probably be less severe.
Japan’s jobless rate was 4 percent in September, up from 3.8 percent in January, while Hong Kong’s was flat at 3.4 percent. But US unemployment is expected to have jumped to 6.3 percent last month from below 5 percent in January.
Experts say that while there are noticeable differences in labor practices in East and West, the gap will narrow as more firms become more multinational and competition forces firms to adopt the best practices of rivals (对手) from abroad.
(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.)
What caused the different practices of Asian and Western firms facing the global recession?
Why is it easier for the East Asian firms to recover quickly from the economic downturn?
Firms in the west would lay off workers when facing a bleak prospect because of ______.
______ will make the differences in East and West less noticeable.
If I have to choose three critical factors in achieving success in my career, these would be my choices—belief, action and discipline.
Belief
In order to achieve success in your career, you have to first believe. You need to believe that you can achieve it. You need to have faith in your goals and your path to success. Once your mind is convinced that you can do it, everything is possible. Belief is the “mind and heart” part of the three critical success factors.
Action
Nothing moves until you do something. Believing alone is not going to achieve anything. It must be followed up with concrete action. Your plan for career success is nothing unless you act upon it wholeheartedly. When you act upon what you believe, there is focus. And there is energy. That energy propels (drive forward) you to greater heights. Action is the “hands and legs” part of the three critical success factors.
Discipline(自制力)
Action in itself is not enough to increase the chances of success. But disciplined action would do that. One of the main reasons why people fail is that there is no discipline in their action. They give themselves excuses when they cannot consistently go ahead with their plans. You need some form of sacrifice(牺牲)if you want to achieve success in your career. That sacrifice takes discipline. Discipline also ensures that you can be persistent(坚持的), especially when you’re faced with challenges after challenges in your journey to success. Discipline is the “untiring, determined hands and legs” part of the three critical success factors.
When what you think, feel and do become one, there is nothing that can stop you from achieving career success
Topic |
How can you 66___________in your career? |
|
67________. |
Belief |
1. You need to feel 68________. About your goals and your path to success. 2. Once you are convinced that you can do it, nothing is 69.________ . |
Action |
1. You must act on your plan for career success70.__________ and soul. 2. You must devote all your 71. ______________so that you can reach greater heights. |
|
Discipline |
1. It means that you must 72______________yourself. 2. You need to 73.______________ something when you gain something. 3. You must be persistent when you are faced with 74. ________________. |
|
75________ |
If you combine all the three factors, you are sure to achieve career success. |
It’s never too late to right your wrongs, big or small.
Working as hard as I had been over the years, I had become disconnected from(失去联系的)the people who mattered most to me. I decided to spend a year reconnecting with my friends and relatives and making amends(补偿). I devoted myself to caring for what I called “my unfinished business”, which has helped me become a more attentive husband, father, son and friend —and a happier, more energetic person.
Now that I’ve had a good opportunity to revisit my past mistakes—and experience the rewards of fixing them—I’d like to share some of the lessons I have learned:
Have you lost touch with people who were important to you? Are there things you’ve done or not done that are in front of you? Are there people in your life you don’t know how much they meant to you? List your unfinished business and take action to deal with it.
Instead of trying to put an end to the cold war dividing your family, begin with a small thing you can control. Apologize to your brother for not attending his Super Bowl party. Respond to an e-mail you should have answered a week ago. Write a note or make a call.
No matter what the wrong is, the most important thing in making it right is your sincerity. If you reach out with a genuine (真诚的)heart, your friends will be glad to hear from you again.
This is the key to learning and growing. Keep a journal, or summarize what you’ve learned in e-mails to friends. The difficulty we face in dealing with our unfinished business can seem impossibly big, but the first step to clearing them can be simple: Again, write a note or make a phone call .Once you discover your fears and get over them, you’ll become a more complete and pleased person.
Topic: 1 ______too late to right your wrongs
Introduction |
Have you been disconnected from the people who mattered most to you just because of your hard 2__________? Here are some of the 3__________ I have learned. |
|
4__________ |
Think back to your life |
Make a list of the things you need to do in order to 5__________with friends and relatives. The time has come for 6__________if you want to deal with the unfinished business. |
Start small |
Begin with small things so that you can keep them in 7__________. |
|
Be sincere |
Sincerity is the 8__________ to improving the relationship. To get in 9__________ with your friends again, you should reach out with your true heart. |
|
Reflect on your experience |
To clear the problems, the first step is simply 10__________ a note or making a phone call. |
任务型阅读 (共10小题; 每小题1分, 满分10分)
One of the most well-known directors of our time is Stephen Spielberg. He was born in Cincinnati on 18 December 1946. His father was an electric engineer and his mother was a performing pianist. His sister, Anne Spielberg, became a screenwriter who wrote the stories for many famous films.
Stephen had always wanted to be a director ever since he was a young boy. When he was just 13 years old, he made a 40-minute film. It won a local competition. Three years later, he produced a film called Firelight, which made one hundred dollars’ profit at the cinema in his hometown. Many of the ideas from this film were later used for one of his most famous films called Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
When he was 18 years old, he wanted to go to film school so that he could improve his skills and become an even better director. Unluckily, he was unsuccessful in getting a place at this school so he went to a university in California to study English. Even though he had failed to get into the school he wanted to go to, he didn’t let this stop him following his dream to become a great director.
Stephen Spielberg has directed many films since his first major film in 1976. He now owns many different businesses, most of which are involved in the film industry.
Year |
What happened |
1946 |
Stephen Spielberg 1 2 in Cincinnati. |
1959 |
Stephen Spielberg made a 3 film and it 4 a local competition. |
1962 |
Stephen Spielberg produced a film called 5 , from which many 6 were later used for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. |
_ 7 |
Though he 8 to get into the film school he wanted to go to, Stephen Spielberg didn’t give up his dream to become a great director. |
1976 |
Stephen Spielberg 9_ his 10 major film. |
For years, the automobile industry has been testing vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel. Now, people across the United States have had a chance to see and even drive cars that get power from hydrogen fuel cells (燃料电池).
But the hydrogen fuel cell is not a new idea. The fuel cell was first invented by Sir William Grove of Britain in 1839. Since then, many different designs, have been invented. There is one place where fuel cells are a proven technology: in space. The American space agency used fuel cells in its Apollo spaceships in the twentieth century.
The most useful fuel cell for transportation purposes is the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, or P.E.M. fuel cell. It is simple and can operate at temperatures of sixty to eighty degrees Celsius. That is much lower than other fuel cell designs. A P.E.M. fuel cell has two sides divided by a thin membrane (膜). Hydrogen gas is forced through one side where it comes in contact with a reactive material containing the metal platinum(铂). The membrane separates the electrons(电子) from the protons(质子) in the hydrogen atoms. The protons pass through it to the other side of the fuel cell. But the electrons are captured to do work; like powering a motor. Oxygen from the air is forced into the other side of the fuel cell. There, the gas meets the protons that have passed through the membrane. They combine to form water and heat. A single fuel cell does not produce a lot of electricity. But when many fuel cells are combined, they can produce enough electricity to power a vehicle. The product of the chemical reaction that powers fuel cells is water. This makes fuel cells a very clean technology.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been slow to develop because of many technical problems that have to be solved. For example, it is unclear how long the membranes in P.E.M. fuel cells will last. Also, fuel cells need water for their chemical reactions. They must be designed to start easily at low temperatures and in dry climates. And smaller, less costly fuel cells must be designed before they can truly take the place of gasoline engines. Now more models of fuel cell vehicles are being tested than ever before. The threat of climate change and the high cost of oil have increased interest in these vehicles that do not cause pollution.
Title |
More Models of Hydrogen Cars Being Tested |
The progress of hydrogen fuel cell |
·(1) ________ by Sir William Grove in 1839. ·Designed (2) ________ ever since. ·Used in Apollo spaceships in the twentieth century. |
Operating principle of P.E.M. |
·It has two sides divided by a thin membrane. ·Hydrogen gas from one side (3) ________ the active metal platinum. ·The electrons are (4) ________ from the protons in the hydrogen atoms. ·The protons pass through the fuel cell to the other side. ·Oxygen from the air is (5) ________ into the other side of the fuel cell. ·The gas meets the protons,and then water and heat are(6) ________ |
Reasons for slow (7) ________of hydrogen fuel cell cars |
·There are many technical problems (8) ________ ·The durability of the membranes in P.E.M. fuel cells is not clear. ·They have to start easily at (9)________ temperatures and in dry climates. ·They must be smaller and less costly before (10) ________ gasoline engines. |
Invention is a creative process. An open and curious mind enables one to see beyond what is known. Seeing a new possibility, a new connection or relationship can spark(引发) an invention. Inventive thinking frequently involves combining concepts or elements from different fields that would not normally be put together. Sometimes inventors skip over the boundaries between separate fields. Ways of thinking, materials, processes or tools from one field are used as no one else has imagined in a different field.
Play can lead to invention. Childhood curiosity like playing in a sand box, imagination can develop one’s play nature—an inner need according to Carl Jung. Inventors feel the need to play with things that interest them, and to explore, and this internal drive brings about interesting creations.
Inventing can also be an obsession(痴迷). Inventors often imagine a new idea, seeing it in their mind’s eye. New ideas can arise when the conscious mind turns away from the subject or problem; or when the focus is on something else; or even while relaxing or sleeping. An unusual idea may come all of a sudden! For example, after years of working to figure out the general theory of relativity, the solution came to Einstein suddenly in a dream “like a giant die making an unforgettable impress, a huge map of the universe summarized itself in one clear vision”.
Invention can also be accidental. Insight(洞察力) is also an important element of invention. It may begin with questions or doubt. It may begin by recognizing something unusual. It may be useful and it could open a new way for exploration. For example, the odd metallic color of plastic made by accidentally adding too much catalyst(催化剂) led scientists to explore its metal-like properties(性能). They then invented electrically conductive plastic and light emitting(散发) plastic—an invention that won the Nobel Prize in 2000 and has led to new kind of lighting, display screens, wallpaper and much more.
Title: 1
A(n) 3 process |
◆Look 2 than we know now. ◆Give combining concepts or 4 elements from different fields. ◆No one can 5 this before. |
An obsession |
◆ 6 often imagine a new idea. ◆An unusual idea may come 7 . |
A(n) 8 |
◆A vital element of invention is 9 . ◆It may open a new way for exploration. ◆Accidental actions can 10 to innovation. |
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At the beginning of the twentieth century, many people thought that the American family was falling apart. A century later, we know that this was not the case. However, although the family is still alive in the United States, its size and shape were very different 100 years ago.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were mainly two types of families in the United States: the extended and the nuclear. The extended family usually includes grandparents, parents, and children living under the same roof. The nuclear family consists of only parents and children.
Today there are many different kinds of families. Some people live in “traditional” families, that is, a stay-home mother, a working father, and their own biological children. Others live in two-paycheck families, single-parent families, adoptive or foster, families, blended families (where men and women who were married before marry again and combine the children from previous marriages into the new families),child less families, and so on.
What caused the structure of the family to change? In the early 1900s the birthrate began to fall and the divorce rate began to rise. Women were suddenly choosing to go to college and take jobs outside the home. In the 1930s and 1940s, many families faced serious financial, or money problems during the Great Depression, when many people lost their jobs. During World War II(1939-1945),5 million women were left alone to take care of their homes and their children. Because many men were at war, thousands of these "war widows" had to go to work outside their home.
During the next ten years, the situation changed. There were fewer divorces, and people married at a younger age and had more children than the previous generation. It was unusual for a mother to work outside the home during the years when her children were growing tip. Families began leaving cities and moving into single-family homes in the suburbs. The traditional family seemed to be returning.
In the years between 1960s and 1990s, there were many important changes in the structure of the family. From the 1960s to the early 1970s, the divorce rate doubled and the birthrate fell by half. The number of single-parent families tripled, and the number of couples living together without being married doubled again. In fact, the single-parent household, once unusual, has replaced the "traditional" family as the typical family in the States. If we can judge from history, however, this will probably change again in the twenty-first century.
The Changes of the American Family
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