Not long ago the movie 2012 came into screen.The people were threatened by those scenes of destroying flood, severe earthquake, terrifying hurricane and constructions representing human civilization being destroyed and even swallowed by disaster.Luckily, they are just the director' s imagination, but the present situation is not heading a positive direction, either.
Take my own experience in Alaska as an example.Once I took a trip to the glacier.Along the way there stood signposts marking the snow lines of different years.They started from the foot of the mountain, but it was at the top that I finally saw melting glaciers(融化的冰川).My heart ached seeing the beautiful blue ice melting at every second.
Sad but true, they are the effects of global warming and the result of our human impact.Furthermore, each year the rising sea level will kill 56 million people, and that' s about the population of the entire Italy.According to studies, if the temperature keeps on rising like this, by the year 2050, some islands and coastal cities including New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney will be drowned in water.
Our fortune is in our own hands.It depends on us to shape our future, to reduce future human impact and find ways to form a peaceful relationship with our environment. Therefore, it's time for actions to be taken right now.Contribute a little to energy saving by using more efficient light bulbs and less hot water.Let recycle become our habit by thinking twice before throwing something away.Let us take public transportation as our first choice when going to a certain place.It might cost more time for now, but it' s to the benefit of a permanent future.Take care of every tree and grass around us by watering them or simply just avoid destroying them.
In a word, small drops of water make a big ocean. The earth does not belong to us.On the contrary, we belong to the earth. Please bear in mind that the earth is our home.It is our responsibility to build a brighter and better future of our planet and prevent what happened in the movie 2012 from becoming reality. Why does the author talk about the movie 2012 in the passage ? __________.
A.To give example. | B.To lead into the topic. |
C.To make prediction. | D.To provide the evidence. |
How did the author feel when he took a trip to the glacier? ____________.
A.Worried. | B.Puzzled. | C.Scared. | D.Bored. |
It can be inferred from the third paragraph that .
A.56 million people in Italy have been killed owing to the rising sea level |
B.Some islands and coastal cities will be drowned in water by the year of 2050 |
C.Human beings will be in danger if we don't take actions to prevent the global warming |
D.It is certain that what happened in the movie 2012 will come into reality |
According to the passage, you are advised to .
A.drive our own private cars instead of taking buses to some place |
B.recycle everything that is used |
C.go to see the movie 2012 at once |
D.work together to take good care of our planet |
What does the author mean by saying "small drops of water make a big ocean"?
A.Think twice before taking action. |
B.It's our duty to protect the ocean. |
C.Everyone together can make a difference. |
D.It's important to save every drop of water. |
The sharing economy has grown in recent years to include everything from apartment' sharing to car sharing to community tool sharing. Since 2009, a new form of sharing economy has been emerging in neighborhoods throughout the US and around the world-Little Free Library. The libraries are boxes placed in neighborhoods from which residents can withdraw(取出) and deposit(存入) books. Little Free Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries also have themes, focusing on books for children, adults, or tour guides.
In 2009. Tod Bol built the first Little Free Library as a gift to his mother, who was a devoted reader. When he saw the people of his community gathering around it, exchanging conversation as well as books, he knew he wanted to take his simple idea further. "I think Little Free Libraries open the door to conversations we want to have with each other," Bol said. .
Since then, his idea has become a movement, spreading from state to state and country to country. According to Little FreeLibrary.org, there are now 18,000 0f the little structures around the world, located in each of the 50 US states and 70 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries. But an Atlantic article says the little, structures serve as a cure for a world of e-reader downloads . The little wooden boxes are refreshingly physical and human. For many people, the sense of discovery is Little Free Libraries' main appeal. "A girl walking home from school might pick up a graphic novel that gets her excited about reading; a man on his way to the bus stop might find a volume of poetry that changes his outlook on life," says the Atlantic article. "Every book is a potential source of inspiration "How do Little Free Libraries get their books?
A.Citizens shared them. |
B.Tod Bol donated them. |
C.US government provided them. |
D.The communities bought them. |
Why did Tod Bol want to build more Little Free Libraries?
A.He wanted to promote his idea worldwide. |
B.He was inspired by the sharing economy. |
C.They can offer neighbors more chances to talk. |
D.They are a gift to please his mother. |
What does the author of the Atlantic article believe?
A.The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries. |
B.Little Free Libraries are physical and human. |
C.E-reader downloads are undoubtedly beneficial. |
D.Little Free Libraries are more popular than e-reader downloads. |
Little Free Libraries attract readers most in that ______.
A.they connect strangers together |
B.they are located all over the world |
C.they are in various shapes and sizes |
D.they may give readers a sense of discovery |
Upon entering college, Yang Yi was uncertain about a lot of things. However, the 19-year-old international economics and trade student was certain about one thing: She wanted to participate in animal welfare efforts.
“I'm .always a nature and animal lover," she said. She joined the environmental protection association at her school. Now being president of a group of 25, she leads its efforts to help stray(流浪)cats and dogs by raising money to buy them food and collecting old clothes to make them homes.
However, sometimes the association raises doubts. Some students have questioned whether helping stray animals breaks the laws of nature. "We tried to resolve the controversy," Yang said. “For wild animals, the best way to protect them is to preserve their environment and their natural habitat, and to let them live their own way. However, for animals that depend heavily on humans, such as dogs and cats, the proper way to treat them is to respect them and take care of them." Besides, if not accommodated properly, stray animals can bring threats to public health, as they are the main cause of rabies(狂犬病)in cities. "Now, many young people in China have agreed upon the need to strike a balance between humans and nature. The only problem is how," said Yang. Yang and her fellow volunteers are cautious about what they do to help. For instance, sometimes people feed stray cats human food such as chocolate. But Yang and her friends point that such food can be dangerous to stray cats.
Yang also cooperates with Non-Governmental Organizations to spread animal protection knowledge. One of their recent exhibits was about animals in the entertainment industry. "We are still figuring out the best way to protect animals, but simple deeds such as saying no to animal performances can prevent wildlife from being captured and tamed. Step by step, we'll eventually reach our goal," she said. Why did Yang Yi join the environmental protection association?
A.She majored in a relevant field. |
B.She wanted to protect nature and animals. |
C.She was uncertain about her life. |
D.She intended to know about animal welfare. |
What do the group members do for stray animals?
A.They shelter them with old clothes. |
B.They feed human food to them. |
C.They train them for entertainment. |
D.They donate money to the association. |
In paragraph 3,Yang believes that
A.all animals should live naturally |
B.young people have known how to balance human and nature |
C.stray animals are bound to spread rabies |
D.chocolate is not a proper food for stray cats |
What does Yang Yi think of her work?
A.Enjoyable. | B.Doubtful. | C.Hopeful. | D.Awful. |
Ben walked quietly. He wanted to surprise the hunter. But then, what would he do?
Suddenly he heard a bird’s wings beating the dry grass. Ben moved quickly toward the sound.
He saw a colored head… the head of a beautiful bird. The bird did not move until Ben came close. Then it tried to fly away, but one wing was broken.
Ben lifted the bird and held it close against his body. The bird fought to escape, but soon lay quietly in Ben’s arms.
Ben decided to take the bird home and fix its broken wing so that it could fly again.
He was almost out of the woods when he heard the hunter behind him.
You just found that bird? the hunter asked.
Yes, Ben answered.
It is mine!
Ben was afraid and tried to answer, but his mouth was too dry to speak. Nevertheless, he wetted his lips and said, No.
I shot him and I say he is mine!
But he is not dead yet, Ben answered, and besides, anything on my land belongs to me.
The hunter looked down at the little man and smiled. Say,who are you?”
Bens voice shook with both fear and anger. I own this land. There are signs everywhere that say, No hunting.
No need to get angry, mister, the hunter said, Control yourself.
There was something threatening in the mans cool quiet voice. And he had a gun. His arms were free and Bens were not.
The hunter stepped closer and said, Give me that bird!
Ben was white with anger, No! he answered. His eye glasses became wet and he had to look over the top of them to see the other man.
Give me the bird and I will go away, the hunter said.
You get off my land, Ben told him. Get off right now you do not belong here!
The man’s face got red. Mister, he said, I have been hunting here all my life. I grew up here.
That is a thing of the past. Ben said. I do not know who you are and I do not care. I own this place now and I'm tellingyou to leave. You go back through the woods and get off my land!
Now look, mister, the hunter said, be reasonable.
The hunter raised his gun.
A cold wind blew across Bens face. He looked into the hunter’s gray eyes. Ben was frightened. It was not too late, he thought. He could still give the bird to the hunter and return safely home that would end this whole ugly business.
The bird struggled weakly and made a wild, strange noise.
Then Ben knew he could never give this bird to the hunter. This feeling gave Ben great strength, and he was no longer afraid.
I will never let you kill this bird, he said. Get away from here. If you try to take this bird, I will fight… you have a gun and you are bigger, but that does not worry me. You will never get this bird… you will have to kill me first.
The two men looked at each other. Ben’s fear returned. His knees began to shake and felt sick. Yet he stood straight, wondering what would happen next.
They stood close to each other for a long time. The woods are strangely quiet. Then the hunters rough voice broke the silence.
You are a fool. And then to Bens surprise, he slowly walked away.
Ben watched until he was gone. His arms hurt, his body felt wet and cold.Why did the hunter smile when saying Say, who are you (Paragraph 13)?
A.He was amused at Bens reply and interested in him. |
B.He wanted to confirm Bens identity in a friendly way. |
C.He looked down on Ben and thought his reply ridiculous. |
D.He meant to be friendly enough to get the bird from Ben. |
What strengthened Bens determination never to give the bird to the hunter?
A.His strong dislike of the hunter. |
B.His firm confidence in himself. |
C.His ownership of this piece of land. |
D.His concern and sympathy for the bird. |
The hunter thought Ben a fool in the end because _______.
A.Ben tried to protect a bird at all costs |
B.Ben insisted he should leave the land |
C.Ben pretended to be fearless though scared |
D.Ben stood close to him saying nothing for long |
It can be learned from the passage that _______.
A.Ben held out to the end |
B.Ben never thought of giving in |
C.Ben was willing to compromise |
D.Ben was sure about his victory |
The most complex object known to humanity is the human brain — and not only is it complex, but it is one of the few natural phenomena that science has no consciousness of. To try to replicate (复制) something that is so poorly understood may therefore seem like pride. But you have to start somewhere, and International Business Machines (IBM) and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), in Switzerland, propose to start by replicating “in silico”, one of the brain’s building blocks.
In a partnership announced, the two organizations said they would be working together to build a simulation (模拟) of a structure known as a neo-cortical(新大脑皮质的)column on a type of IBM supercomputer that is currently used to study the molecular functioning of genes. If that works, they plan to use more powerful computers to link such simulated columns together into something that mimics(模仿) a brain.
In a real brain, a neo-cortical column is a cylindrical(圆柱形的)element about a third of a millimeter in diameter and three millimeters long. It is these columns, arranged side by side like the cells of a honeycomb, which make up the famous “grey matter” that has become shorthand for human intelligence. The Blue Gene/L supercomputer that will be used for the simulation consists of enough independent processors for each to be programmed to mimic an individual nerve cell in a column.
The EPFL’s contribution to the Blue Brain Project will be to create a digital description of how the columns behave. The database from its Brain Mind Institute will provide the raw material for the simulation. Biologists and computer scientists will then connect the artificial nerve cells up in a way that mimics nature. They will do so by assigning electrical properties(电能)to them, and telling them how to communicate with each other and how they should modify their connections with one another depending on their activity.
That will be no mean feat. Even a single nerve cell is complicated, not least because each one has about 10,000 connections with others. And nerve cells come in great variety—relying, for example, on different chemical transmitters to carry messages across those connections. Eventually, however, a digital representation of an entire column Should occur.
Assuming that the growth of computing power continues to follow Moore’s Law, the leader of IBM’s side thinks it should be practical to mimic an entire human brain in silico this way in ten to fifteen years. Such an artificial brain would, of course, be a powerful research tool. It would allow neurological experiments that currently take days in a “web lab” to be conducted in seconds. The researchers hope that their simulated brain will reveal the secrets of how certain psychiatric and neurological, disorders develop. But that is probably not the real reason for doing it. The most interesting question, surely, is whether such an artificial brain will be intelligent, or conscious, or both.In a real brain, a neo-cortical column ____________.
A.looks like the cells of a honeycomb |
B.is a simulation of a structure |
C.is the famous grey matter |
D.contains a large number of nerve cells |
What does the underlined sentence “That will be no mean feat” in Paragraph 5 indicate?
A.It is rather difficult to connect the artificial nerve ceils up. |
B.The function of chemical transmitters is hard to understand. |
C.A digital representation of an entire column is time-consuming. |
D.A single nerve cell is complicated to identify across connection![]() |
The fundamental purpose of doing the research is probably ____________.
A.to simulate an entire human brain in silico |
B.to tell us how some certain disorders emerge |
C.to discover how the artificial brain would work |
D.to examine whether Moores Law is still functioning |
What type of writing is this passage?
A.A science fiction |
B.A research report |
C.An official document |
D.A computer advertisement |
The slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” won the Academy Award for best picture on Sunday, making history as the first movie from a black director to win the film industry’s highest honor in 86 years of the Oscars. British director Steve McQueen’s brave portrayal of pre-Civil War American slavery won two other Oscars, including best supporting actress for newcomer Lupita Nyong’o and best adapted screenplay based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a free man tricked and sold into slavery in Louisiana. “Everyone deserves not just to survive but to live. This is the most important legacy of Solomon Northup,” said McQueen in his acceptance speech.
“12 Years a Slave” was better over space thriller “Gravity” from Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, which nevertheless got the most Oscars of the night with seven, including the best director honor for Cuaron, a first for a Latin American director.The film starring Sandra Bullock as an astronaut lost in space swept the technical awards like visual effects and cinematography, a reward for its groundbreaking work on conveying space and weightlessness. Referring to the “transformative” experience he and others undertook in the four-plus years spent making “Gravity”, Cuaron, whose hair is graying, said, “For a lot of these people, that transformation was wisdom. For me, it was just the color of my hair.” In one of the strongest years for film in recent memory, the 6,000-plus voters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences scattered golden Oscar statuettes among the many acclaimed movies in contention.
It was a good night for the scrappy, low-budget film “Dallas Buyers Club”, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, a biopic of an early AIDS activist two decades in the making that won three Oscars, including the two male acting awards.
Matthew McConaughey, in a validation of a remarkable career turnaround, won best actor for his portrayal of the homophobe who turned AIDS victim and then turned treatment crusader Ron Woodroof, a role for which he lost 50 pounds (23 kg). His co-star, Jared Leto, won best supporting actor for his role as Woodroof’s unlikely business partner, the transgender woman Rayon, for which he also slimmed down drastically.
Australia’s Cate Blanchett won the best actress Oscar for her acclaimed role as the socialite unhinged by her husband’s financial crimes in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine.” “As random and subjective as this award is, it means a great deal in a year of, yet again, extraordinary performances by women,” said Blanchett, who beat out previous Oscar winners Bullock, Amy Adams, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep.The film which won the largest number of Oscar awards this year is ______.
A.12 Years a Slave | B.Gravity |
C.Dallas Buyers Club | D.Blue Jasmine |
Which director spent the least money in making the film?
A.Steve McQueen. | B.Alfonso Cuaron. |
C.Jean-Marc Vallee. | D.Woody Allen. |
How many Oscar best actresses are mentioned in this passage?
A.One. | B.Three. | C.Five. | D.Six. |
Which of the following statements is WRONG?
A.12 Years a Slave won two Oscar awards altogether. |
B.The director of Gravity is from Latin America. |
C.The character Rayon is played by Jared Leto. |
D.The woman film star Cate Blanchett comes from Oceania. |