“High tech” and “state of the art” are two expressions that describe very modern technology. High tech is just a shorter way of saying high technology. And high technology describes any invention or system that uses the newest ideas or discoveries of science and engineering.
What is high tech? A computer is high tech. So is a communications satellite. A modern manufacturing (制造业的) system is surely high tech.
High tech became a popular expression in the United States during the early 1980’s. Because of improvements in technology, people could buy many new kinds of products in American stores, such as home computers, microwave ovens (微波炉), etc. “State of the art” is something that is as modern as possible. It is a product that is based on the very latest ways and technology. Something that is “state of the art” is the newest possible design or product of a business or industry. A state of the art television set, for example, uses the most modern electronic design and parts. It is the best that one can buy.
“State of the art” is not a new expression. Engineers have used it for years, to describe the best and most modern way of doing something.
Millions of Americans began to use the expression in the late 1970’s. The reason was the computer revolution(革命). Every computer company claimed (声称) that its computers were “state of the art”.
Computer technology changes so fast that a state of the art computer today might be old tomorrow. The expression “state of the art” has become as common and popular as computers themselves. Now all kinds of products are said to be “state of the art”.What is the purpose of the passage?
A.To tell how “high tech” and “state of the art” have developed. |
B.To give examples of high tech. |
C.To tell what “high tech” and “state of the art” are. |
D.To describe very modern technology. |
What can we learn from the passage?
A.American stores could provide new kinds of products to the people. |
B.“High tech” describes a technology that is not traditional. |
C.“State of the art” became popular later than “high tech”. |
D.A lantern out of a big orange pumpkin is “state of the art”. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.Since the computer revolution, the expression “state of the art” has become popular. |
B.“State of the art” means something that is the best one can buy. |
C.With the development of computer technology, a state of the art computer may easily become unpopular. |
D.All the producers claim that their products are “state of the art” nowadays. |
The best title for the passage is_____.
A.Computer Technology |
B.High Tech and State of the Art |
C.Most Advanced Technology |
D.Two New Expressions |
What’s the most important thing in your life? Do you think about this question?
I began to think about it when I was just a little girl. I had a lot of friends and I loved playing with them. So I thought friendship(友谊) was the most important thing in life. If I had no friends, I would be very sad.
When I got older, I thought the most important thing was music. I was crazy about music at that time. To me, if I couldn’t sing or listen to music, my life would be boring.
When I was 12, I read a book that tells a beautiful story about the love between a mother and her child. I was happy to find that love was the most important thing. I thought love made my life beautiful.
Not long ago, I got a new answer to the question from another book. “Happiness is the destination(目标) for everyone.” the writer said.
Soon I began to understand friendship, music, love and happiness are all very important to us. These important things make our lives colourful and beautiful.
What’s the most important thing in life now? I still don’t have the answer. However, I don’t want to know. I just want to care about everything important in my life.
I hope everyone can find the important things in their lives, and cherish them!
The most |
||
Things |
Reasons |
|
A little girl |
☆Because she had a lot of friends and she loved them. |
|
Older |
Music |
☆She was |
At the of 12 |
Love |
☆Because she thought love made her life beautiful after reading a |
Not long ago |
☆Because a writer said it was the destination for everyone. |
|
After that |
Many |
☆Because they make our lives |
Now |
No answer |
☆Because she just wants to |
Many earthquakes happen without warning, so it is important to know what to do when it happens. Here are some tips on how to stay safe in earthquakes.
◆Keep a cool head. Worry won’t help you. Think about what you should do. The first several seconds are important.
◆If you are indoors, stay inside and duck and cover. Hide under a desk or table, or stand in a corner. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from windows and anything that could fall on you.
◆If you are in a crowded(拥挤的) hall or shop, don’t rush for the door. You will find too many people trying to get out at the same time. Instead, lower(降低) yourself close to the ground and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
◆If you are outdoors, try to get into an open area away from buildings, trees or street lights.
◆If you are trapped in a place, you may make noises by knocking at the rocks. But don’t shout all the time. You could be without help for up to 72 hours. Try to find some water and food.
◆Stay in your seat if in a cinema or a theatre. Get below the level(水平线) of the back of the seat. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
◆Stay in a safe area until you are sure it’s OK to leave. Some aftershocks(余震) may follow. They are as dangerous as the earthquake.The best title(题目) of the passage is ____________.
A.Advice for dangerous situations |
B.How to keep calm in earthquakes |
C.Ways to protect yourself in earthquakes |
D.Be careful with aftershocks |
The underlined word “duck” in Tip 2 means _____________.
A.a water bird with short legs | B.some kind of meat for eating |
C.walk like a duck | D.lower your head or body very quickly |
_________ should be the most important part(s) to be protected in earthquakes.
A.Your head and arms | B.Your head and neck |
C.Your neck and arms | D.Your arms |
. From the passage we know that _________.
A.keeping calm is very important during the earthquake |
B.we can hide under the tree during the earthquake |
C.we don’t have to care about aftershocks |
D.we should keep shouting for help if we are trapped |
Hi! I’m Mike the apple tree.
I like spring because it’s warm.
I get pink and white flowers.
I get new leaves.
The friendly bees visit me.
Ahhh! Spring.
I like summer because it’s hot.
My apples grow bigger and bigger.
My leaves become greener and greener.
People rest under my shade.
Hummm! Summer.
I like autumn because it is cool.
My apples become red.
My leaves become colourful.
People come and pick my red apples.
Wow! Autumn.
I have no leaves or apples any more.
But, I like winter thanks to the clean white snow.
I can sleep and wait for spring.
Zzzzz! Winter. The poem is about __________.
A.what season is “my” favourite | B.what the weather is like |
C.why “I” like different seasons | D.why “I” dislike seasons |
Who is “I” in the poem?
A.An apple. | B.An apple tree. |
C.A bee. | D.A boy. |
“I” like many things about spring, but “I” don’t talk about __________.
A.the warm weather | B.the friendly bees |
C.the colourful flowers | D.the comfortable wind |
Which of the following is NOT TRUE?
A.“I” don’t like winter thanks to the snow. |
B.“I” like people to pick the apples. |
C.The apples become bigger in summer. |
D.“I” lose the leaves in winter. |
Happy New Year, everyone!
The year of 2014 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar(农历). It begins on January 31, 2014, and ends on February 18, 2015. People say 2014 is the Year of Wood Horse. Wood is something about trees or green, so it is also called Year of Green Horse. 2014 is the jiăwŭ (甲午) year.
Horses are our good friends for a long time. In the past, horses helped people carry heavy things and travel far. Today many people ride horses for fun.
Horses are hard-working and loyal animals. So are the people born in the Year of Horse. They are true to others. If you have some friends like that, be nice to them. They could be your friends forever.The year of 2014 is the Year of the ____________.
A.Snake | B.Dragon | C.Monkey | D.Horse |
The underlined word “loyal” in the last paragraph means __________ in Chinese.
A.令人畏惧的 | B.自信的 | C.忠诚的 | D.固执的 |
Apart from keeping fit, students can learn many important lessons about life from life doing sports. Sports can teach students about winning and losing, When they win, they will get a lot of ___, but they will also have to
it when they lose. This will help students understand competition, and make them more
___ and hardworking. All this will
them for the difficult challenges they will face at school and in
____.
The introduction of school uniforms has helped to ___ school violence. Much of school violence is linked to the clothes which different youth gangs wear. In schools with youth gangs, the number of fights
___ by 40 percent after uniforms were introduced. Uniforms also
____ a message that students are at school to study, not to play. They create school
_____. These things help to reform problem students and improve their
____ at school.