Recently the barbican museum in London held an exhibition called the rain room. During the time this exhibition was open, my twitter stream was filled with photos of people standing in the rain room, accompanied by the caption “rain room@ the barbican!” and a location attachment to prove that they were indeed in the rain room.
This got me thinking. What were people actually saying by Tweeting about their visit? I think all they were doing was fulfilling the obligation that we have to share. Not sharing in the sense of treasuring a moment with people close to us, but sharing in the sense of “tell the world that I am doing a thing”.
It’s not sharing; it’s showing off. When we log in to Facebook or Twitter we see an infinitely updating stream of people enjoying themselves. It’s not real life, because people only post about the good things whereas all the dull or deep stuff doesn’t get mentioned. But despite this obvious fact, it subconsciously makes us feel like everyone is having a better time than us.
This is the curse of our age. We walk around with the tools to capture extensive data about our surroundings and transmit them in real-time to every friend we’ve made. We end up with a reduced understanding of reality because we’re more concerned about choosing a good Instagram filter(过滤器) for our meal than how it tastes.
I don’t think that it’s inherently wrong to want to keep the world updated about that you’re doing. But when you go through life robotically posting about everything you do, you’re not a human being. You’re just a prism that takes bits of light and sound and channels them into the cloud.
The key thing to remember is that you are not enriching your experiences by sharing them online; you are detracting from them because all your efforts are focused on making the look attractive to other people. Once you stop seeing things through the eyes of the people following you on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, you can make your experiences significant, because you were there and you saw the sights and smelled the smells and heard the sounds, not snapped a photo of it through a half-inch camera lens.What do we learn from the first two paragraphs?
| A．Rain Room exhibition received a large audience in London. |
| B．Most of people feel obligated to share their experience with friends. |
| C．Many people want to inform others of their experience by Tweeting. |
| D．All people having gone to the Rain Room took pictures. |
It seems to the author that ___________.
| A．Facebook or Twitter is a good place where we share personal experience |
| B．people seldom show depressing stuff on the social networking websites |
| C．most of people tend to show off that they are having a better time than others |
| D．sharing experience on the social networking websites is not real life |
By talking of “a good Instagram filter for our meal” (Line 3-4, Para.4), the author wants to show _____________.
| A．we are surrounded by various tools to capture our daily data |
| B．we are more concerned about how our life seems to be to others |
| C．we transmit our experience immediately to everybody we know |
| D．we gain more extensive perception of reality with digital tools |
What suggestion does the author give in the last paragraph?
| A．Enrich your experiences by sharing them online. |
| B．Make efforts to make your life attractive to others. |
| C．Stop showing your personal experience. |
| D．Record the details of what you see, smell and hear. |
Selfies (自拍) have become an increasingly common way to capture memorable moments. When it comes to taking selfies , knowing the following tips can directly affect the quality of your final product. .
The use of light is vital to improving image quality. Lights can help avoid shadows and create soft features on your face, so turn your face toward the main light. source. If you want to be creative, play with light angles by turning your body, but make sure the photo is properly exposed and your face is lit from the front or the side. Besides, avoid taking selfies against the main light source or with overhead lighting. Additionally, natural light possesses a warmth that makes you look like you're glowing.（发光）
When taking selfies, angles also matter a lot. Hold the camera away from your face, and try to take photos both horizontally（水平地） and vertically. If not, your face might look bigger than usual. Ideally, the universal selfie angle is 45 degrees above your head. But you should study your face at different angles because finding your best angle requires you having seen all of them.
One problem with selfies is that most have distracting backgrounds. You can always do more to show others your best side. Try to simplify the background by taking selfies outdoors or in spacious areas. Document yourself engaging in interesting activities-hiking with family members, visiting landmarks, or working out with friends. At least, you can make the photo appealing by getting rid of your outstretched arm or a background that's too busy.
You can also download some photo apps that allow you to adjust the lighting and contrast. Some apps offer useful filters（滤光器）, which can change your skin tone and eliminate pimples (粉刺) on your face.To get an image of high quality, you need to _______.
| A．be under the light source |
| B．be against the main light |
| C．face the main light source |
| D．have the photo fully exposed |
How can you find the angle that suits you most?
| A．Study your face at different angles. |
| B．Hold the camera far enough from you. |
| C．Keep the camera lower than your face. |
| D．Place the camera 45 degrees above your head. |
Which of the following should be avoided when taking selfies?
| A．The use of natural light. |
| B．A landmark as a background. |
| C．Changes of the skin tone. |
| D．A busy background. |
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 telling
you 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 strugg
led 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 Feder
ale 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 programm
ed 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 connections. |
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 |