When you think about math, you probably don’t think about breaking the law, solving mysteries or finding criminals. But a mathematician in Maryland does, and he has come up with mathematical tools to help police find criminals.
People who solve crimes look for patterns that might reveal (揭示) the identity of the criminal. It’s long been believed, for example, that criminals will break the law closer to where they live, simply because it’s easier to get around in their own neighborhood. If police see a pattern of robberies in a certain area, they may look for a suspect who lives near the crime scenes. So, the farther away from the area a crime takes place, the less likely it is that the same criminal did it.
But Mike O’Leary, a mathematician at Towson University in Maryland, says that this kind of approach may be too simple. He says that police may get better clues to the location of a criminal’s home base by combining these patterns with a city’s layout (布局) and historical crime records.
The records of past crimes contain geographical information and can reveal easy targets — that is, the kind of stores that might be less difficult to rob. Because these stores are along roads, the locations of past crimes contain information about where major streets and intersections are. O’Leary is writing a new computer program that will quickly provide this kind of information for a given city. His program also includes information about the people who live in the city, and information about how a criminal’s patterns change with age. It’s been shown, for example, that the younger the criminal, the closer to home the crime.
Other computer programmers have worked on similar software, but O’Leary’s uses more math. The mathematician plans to make his computer program available, free of charge, to police departments around the country.
The program is just one way to use math to fight crime. O’Leary says that criminology — the study of crime and criminals — contains a lot of good math problems. “I’m the only one who knows what gold looks like,” he says. “It’s a lot of fun.”
49. To find criminals, police usually _________.
A. check who are on the crime scene
B. seek help from local people
C. depend on new mathematical tools
D. focus on where crimes take place
50. O’Leary is writing a computer program that _________.
A. uses math to increase the speed of calculation
B. tells the identity of a criminal in a certain area
C. provides the crime records of a given city
D. shows changes in criminals’ patterns
51. By “I’m the only one who knows what gold looks like”, O’Leary means that he _________.
A. is better at finding gold than others
B. is the only one who uses math to make money
C. knows best how to use math to help solve crimes
D. has more knowledge of gold than other mathematicians
52. What is the main idea of the text?
A. Math could help police find criminals.
B. Criminals live near where crimes occur.
C. Crime records could be used to fight crime.
D. Computer software works in preventing crimes.
Which tablet computer should YOU be buying: They are this year's must have... and there's a style to suit everyone？
| Best for young children LeapPad Explorer 2, ￡68 Aimed at children between three and nine (though a nine-year-old might find it a little simple), it comes in pink or blue and with five built-in education games (you can buy more). Besides, the LeapPad does not allow access to the internet — so it is impossible for your child to meet with anything inappropriate. Pros: The education games are well-designed, the built-in video camera is a fun way to play at being a film director. Cons: Some of the games are shockingly expensive. And the power adaptor is not included. |
Best for teenagers iPad 4th generation, ￡399-￡659 The iPad is still the market leader, and for good reason. If the teenager in your house enjoys playing computer games, the latest offering from Apple is the one to choose. Pros: No other tablet can compete with the near one million ‘apps’ (the name Apple created for specially-designed downloadable programs) available for the iPad. Simple to use, even for those who usually struggle with technology. Cons: Considerably more expensive than most competitors. |
| Best for working parents Microsoft Surface, ￡399-￡559 Tablets are brilliant for leisure — but what if you want to do a bit of work? No tablet can yet compete with a full-size laptop computer, but this is the only tablet that allows you to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint (they are all pre-installed and included in the price) and you can buy a pretty lovely mini- keyboard for typing letters and emails, which also doubles up as the cover. Pros: The Surface is good for watching movies — a bonus when stuck in the airport on a business trip — and surfing the internet. Con: The keyboard is an expensive add-on — costing up to ￡109. It might be cheaper to buy a laptop (though a tablet is much smaller and lighter). |
Best for bookworms Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, ￡109 Nearly all tablets let you download books. It's a great way to take a mountainous pile of hardbacks on holiday without stuffing your suitcase. But most tablets have a shiny screen — which can be very distracting (分心) when you're trying to read. The Paperwhite is different: its matt screen and crisp black lettering imitate the look of words on paper brilliantly. And yet you can still read the words in the dark. Pros: Easy on the eye, excellent battery life, 180,000 free books (if you subscribe to the Amazon Prime customer loyalty service) plus hundreds of thousands more to buy. Cons: No TV, films, games, internet or camera. |
60.With iPad 4th generation, you can ____.
| A．become a film director and have fun |
| B．download more “apps” than any other tablet |
| C．compete with a full-size laptop computer |
| D．read the words clearly in the dark |
Which of the following about LeapPad Explorer 2 is TRUE?
| A．It is designed only for children in the kindergarten. |
| B．The power adaptor I not free of charge. |
| C．You have to pay extra to install Microsoft Word. |
| D．You can surf the internet to find anything interesting. |
You enjoy reading and want to protect your eyesight. You would like to buy_____.
| A．Amazon Kindle Paperwhite |
| B．iPad 4th generation |
| C．Microsoft Surface |
| D．LeapPad Explorer 2 |
If you want to ____, the tablet Microsoft Surface is your best choice.
| A．choose a tablet for your young child |
| B．operate a tablet without any difficulty |
| C．concentrate on what you read without distraction |
| D．add something to your prepared PPT for a presentation |
With his strong interest in national affairs, 37-year-old Song Zhigang was glued to the TV news during the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He not only learned all the latest information about the event, he was also inspired to write a song for Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Titled Xi Dada Loves Peng Mama, the song tells of the love between the couple, which goes "Xi Dada loves Peng Mama. Their love is like a myth. Peng Mama loves Xi Dada. A nation with love is the strongest".
When the song was released in an online video on Nov 18, it became an instant viral hit, which has been viewed over 40 million times and stirred hot discussion. Many netizens said it's sweet to listen to the song while seeing such photos, and some believe that the couple sets a good example for China's young couples.
Born in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Song works as an independent songwriter along with his team there, including singer-songwriters Yu Runze, Xu An and Wu Bai. Song says that he finished the lyrics within an hour and sent it to his team via cellphone. The team finished composing(作曲) that night. They also made the music video by themselves, which was the first time that they had ever produced a music video and uploaded it online. The video of the song contains 33 photos and 2 cartoon illustrations of the couple, displaying small interactive moments, including tacit eye contact between the couple and hand touching when the couple played a swing. Nine children between 4 and 12 years old were invited to rap and sing along with the team. "When I watched the couple appearing on TV, they seemed just like any other ordinary couple and I felt close to them. With some small sweet moments, I could feel the love between the couple," says Song.
"Xi Dada" and "Peng Mama" have both become Internet buzz words, referring to the Chinese president and his popular wife. Song notes that the couple has attracted worldwide attention and even what Peng wears becomes headlines.
Yu Runze, 32, is one of the singers and also comes from Zhengzhou. She says the team started to release songs online around four years ago, mostly pop love ballads(歌曲，歌谣). Though they could make ends meet by making music, they remained unknown before this song. "We didn't expect that the song would gain so much popularity online. People share the same feeling we have about the couple, which is warm and sincere," says Yu, who is a graduate of the Qilu Conservatory of Music, Shandong province, and has released five albums since 2006.
"We want to sing the song at 2015's CCTV Spring Festival Gala."What does the underlined word “hit” mean?
| A．something that is successful but confusing. |
| B．something that is popular but complicated. |
| C．something that is popular and successful. |
| D．something that is popular and instructive. |
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
| A．The video “Xi Dada loves Peng Mama” has been watched 4 million times. |
| B．It took Song just an hour to finish the lyrics and the composition of the song. |
| C．Song and his team started to release songs online around four years ago, mostly folk songs. |
| D．Many netizens think that President Xi Jingping and his wife are the model couple. |
What might be the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
| A．To introduce something about the song and its writer. |
| B．To show the influence of the couple on young people. |
| C．To introduce the team that produced the song. |
| D．To show the importance of true love. |
Which section of the newspaper is the passage taken from?
| A．Politics | B．Health |
| C．Entertainment | D．Economy |
Many environmentalists and entrepreneurs are looking for ideas on how to “capture gold” ― that is, how to collect and convert plastic waste into new plastic or fuel.
OK, describing plastic waste as potential “gold” may be overdoing it. But the campaigners say that publicizing the notion that plastic is worth something may help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in oceans and the bellies of sea creatures.
To that end, they have set up a competition inviting members of the public to submit ideas online. Organizers will take the best ones to the Rio+20 Earth Summit (峰会) in Rio de Janeiro next month, where they are planning a daylong side event called Plasticity focusing on issues related to plastic pollution.
The plastic waste problem is gaining broader attention as environmentalists, scientists, manufacturers and the public become more aware of the sheer volume of the stuff that finds its way into the sea.
More than 260 million metric tons of plastic are now produced per year, according to the trade association PlasticsEurope. The majority of that is not recycled. Most of it ends up in landfill, and a significant amount ends up as litter on land, in rivers and in the oceans.
Technological advances have made clear that it is possible to reuse much of this plastic by turning it into fuel or new products. Yet the companies that have come up with such solutions have not achieved the economies of scale that would allow them to function profitably. Insufficient waste-collection and recycling systems in most countries also stand in the way of “ trash to cash” concept, said Doug Woodring, an environmental entrepreneur in Hong Kong who is among the organizer of the Plasticity forum(论坛) in Rio.
Rather than breast-beating, the form aims to highlight some of the technologies and ideas out there for collection and reuse. My personal favorite for now is a vacuum cleaner with plastic parts made from plastic waste.What do the campaigners like to do exactly?
| A． To describe plastic waste as potential “gold”. |
| B． To invite members of the public to their forum. |
| C． To collect ideas on how to recycle plastic waste. |
| D． To hold a competition on how to deal with environmental pollution. |
The underlined part “trash to cash” most probably means “ ”.
| A．applying modern technology to recycling systems |
| B．collecting sufficient plastic waste for future use |
| C．establishing many environmental businesses |
| D．turning plastic waste into fuel or new products |
According to Doug Woodring, the companies that want to reuse plastic waste .
| A．have collected enough waste to be used |
| B．have no practical solutions |
| C．haven’t reached profitable scale |
| D．lack technological advances |
What can be the best title for the text?
| A．Earth Summit =" Way" Out? |
| B．Plastic Waste =" Great" Wealth? |
| C．Waste Recycling =" Green" Life? |
| D．New Technology =" Little" Waste? |
Many Chinese people are confused with the two nations: one is known for its cheese and watches; the other for IKEA and Volvo.
The problem largely stems from the fact that both nation’s names are written similarly in Mandarin---Ruidian(Sweden) and Ruishi (Switzerland)------which begin with the same symbol, according to the Swedish Consul General Victoria Liu in China.
In an effort to put an end to the mix-up, the Swedish and Swiss governments have launched a competition on a website, asking Chinese people to come up with funny ways to help differentiate the two countries. Submissions can be accepted as a blog post, cartoon, photo, short film or in any other format.
The winner with the best submission will receive a 12-day trip to Sweden and Switzerland and will be expected to report back on his/her impressions of both countries following the trip, the website states. Entries will be accepted until November 20.
The organizers have also devised a humorous campaign logo with objects and people associated with Sweden and Switzerland on separate maps of each country. Sweden’s map features meatballs, a Viking, as well as two male cartoon figures with a heart between them symbolizing gay marriage, which remains illegal in Switzerland. Switzerland’s map features cheese, the Alps and a picture of Roger Federer.
China may not be the only country struggling to tell Sweden and Switzerland apart. Residents of Spanish-speaking countries also fall victim to the confusion as Sweden is spelt “Suecia” in Spanish while Switzerland is called “Suiza”.
Sweden and Switzerland aren’t the only places that have caused confusion among people. Last month, , a British holidaymaker hoped to explore the architecture of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, but instead mistakenly caught a flight across the Atlantic to the tropical Caribbean island of Grenada following a confusing booking blunder. Earlier this summer, two US holidaymakers were flown to the wrong continent after an airline confused two airport codes.What can we learn about the competition launched by the two governments?
| A．The winner of the competition will receive a 24-day trip altogether to both of the countries. |
| B．The winner will report his/her impressions on the two countries in his/her submission. |
| C．The competition is held among all people around the world. |
| D．The competition is held in order to stop people’s confusion about the two countries. |
Why does the author mention the British holidaymaker?
| A．To show us many people are confused by Sweden and Switzerland. |
| B．To prove airports make mistakes about people’s places too. |
| C．To explain Spanish-speaking people make mistakes too. |
| D．To prove many people are confused about some places. |
In which part of a newspaper could you probably find the passage?
| A．Tourism | B．News review | C．Business | D．Culture |
What does the underlined word “devised” mean?
| A．Compared. | B．Collected. | C．Invented. | D．Installed |
Many people may not believe it, but this is what is happening: polar bears are dying out! They are dying because they are losing a great deal of habitat due to human incursion（侵入）and global warming. They are dying because of starvation as well. With the sea ice they depend on for survival shrinking, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find food.
An ecosystem is highly dependent on all of its parts, and removing even a single species can result in serious consequences. Polar bears are at the top of the predators（捕食性动物）where they live. They play an important part in the ecosystem. They feed on seals, fish and deer. Several other animals depend on the kill of polar bears. The failure to save polar bears might result in loss of these predators.
In addition, all large predators perform a very important function in their habitat: helping to control the populations of other species. When an animal group loses its natural predators, its population will rise rapidly, having a direct result in population decrease of other groups. A huge boom in population of Arctic seals would have a direct effect on the prey(捕食) of seals, and could reduce numbers of certain types of fish.
This could also have a direct effect on humans, who might have to compete with Arctic seals for food supplies from fish. Lack of polar bears could eventually affect human food supply. Human beings shall save polar bears to ensure the food supply.
There is no doubt that we should save polar bears. However, there is still another question: can they be saved? This is a matter that scientists debate because of rapid degradation（恶化）of the polar bear’ environment in recent years due to warming temperatures. It is estimated that if the bears cannot adapt to changing climates, they might die out before the end of the 21st century, with about 50% of the animals disappearing by 2050. So time is running out!
There are some things that may help slow down global warming and help delay extinction of polar bears. These include finding new energy sources that don’t give off greenhouse gases and not making any more incursions into polar bear’s territory.Which is NOT the threat to the survival of polar bears according to the passage?
| A．Human’s killing. | B．Global warming. |
| C．Habitat loss. | D．Lack of food. |
Why do we need to save polar bears?
| A．For the predators in the ecosystem. |
| B．For the seals in Arctic Circle. |
| C．For our own source of food. |
| D．For our environment. |
If bears can’t adapt to changing climates, we will probably have lost _____ by the middle of the 21st century.
| A．half of polar bears |
| B．most of polar bears |
| C．90% of polar bears |
| D．all of polar bears |
We can infer that _____ .
| A．nothing can prevent the extinction of polar bears |
| B．drilling for oil in the Arctic should be encouraged |
| C．polar bears can surely adapt to changing climates |
| D．using solar energy is good for saving polar bears |