Cars will run on solar power or electricity and will be much cleaner. For example, if you are too close to another car or if you are driving dangerously, your car will slow down by itself.
Since there won't be any spare place, new cities will have to be built in the sea.
People will live on the upper floor, the lower floor will be used for traffic, shops and factories.
Plants that are not influenced by insects (昆虫) or illnesses will be developed. The taste of fruit and vegetables will be better and food will be kept longer.
New technology will be used to make TVs that are only 5cm thick. Electrical appliances (电器) will be quieter and will be controlled by computer. They will also use 50% less power.
Many new ways to treat illnesses will be successful using products of genetic engineering (基因工程). Treatments will be found for the flu (流感)and the common cold.
A. However, some new illnesses will appear.
B. Biotechnology (生物技术) will make food better and healthier.
C. Some cities on water will have two floors.
D. They will be much safer.
E. They will have pictures that are as clear as photos.
The invention of barcodes (条形码) is based on a very simple idea. We only need to give each product a specific number and print it. We could simply print the number itself. But this can cause problems. For example, an unclearly printed "seven" could look like a "one" to a computer. It's also true for "three" and "eight". We need a better way of printing numbers so that they can be read correctly at high speeds. That's the problem barcodes solve.
Each number in a barcode is shown by seven blocks of the same size. For example, the number "one" is shown in turn by two white stripes (条), two black stripes, two white stripes, and one black stripe.
A barcode includes different parts and each one provides a specific meaning. The first part of a barcode tells you the country where the product was made. For example, 690—692 is the barcode for China. The final part is about the product itself. This is how barcodes work.
A. Then computers can read it directly. B. All information can be shown by barcodes. C. The next part tells you who produced the product. D. And "nine" looks similar to "six" if you turn it upside down. E. Even if you turn it upside down, it isn't similar to any other number. F. These are colored either black or white to show the number zero to nine. |
I travel a lot. Each month, I pack up my suitcase to hit the road, whether it could be by plane, train, or automobile. I always find myself with the same problem—how to stay healthy while traveling?
⒈ Move around.
Though only about 1 in 4, 500 airplane passengers develop a blood clot (血块), you should still make efforts to move around on the plane, just standing in the aisle or by taking a walk to the toilet. Have a layover (中途停留)? Instead of sitting, make sure to walk around the airport. Taking a road trip? Make plenty of stops to move around. Whether it is working out at your hotel, taking hikes, or giving up public transport to walk, you'll feel much better if you get in some activity.
⒉ Prepare snacks smartly.
Though these seem like a convenient choice, they're not the healthiest. I like to pack snacks that are within my calorie budget for the day and 100 calories or under each. When traveling and buying food, I try to choose fresh fruit and vegetables. Is fast food the only choice if you're very hungry? Stick to something simple and whatever you do, don't supersize.
⒊
Because of low humidity on planes, many of us can find ourselves feeling thirstier than ever. Drink more water. Make sure when traveling on day trips to carry water with you at all times. As a result, you will eat more healthily throughout the day.
A. Eat, eat, eat. B. Drink, drink, drink. C. Here are some practical tips. D. Once you get to your location, don't forget to do exercise. E. Water will also help you to be able to stay full between meals. F. While at the airport or on road trips, you'll pass countless fast restaurants. |
Thousands of years ago, Shennong, who had an ox (公牛) head and a human body, lived in the south of China. Seeing that local people were suffering from disease, he built ladders ( 梯子) and houses on a high mountain to keep hundreds of medicine plants.
This legend (传说) has made Shennongjia in Hubei an inviting place for tourists.
You can see natural scenery from all four seasons at different altitudes ( 海拔). "When the bottom of the mountain is summer, the top is spring and while the foothill is autumn, the top is covered with ice," local people say of the special climate of Shennongjia.
Shennongjia is also home to 5,000 kinds of animals and plants. For example, the golden monkey, the clouded leopard (云豹) and the Asian black bear live in this area.
One interesting and mysterious thing about Shennongjia is its "Bigfoot" legends. Some people have said that they have seen huge footprints or large man-like wild animals. Some say they are just bears.
On July 17, 2016, the Shennongjia Forestry District was added to the United Nations World Heritage list as a natural site. It was China's 50th world heritage site (遗址).
A. But scientists haven't made sure if it's true. B. That's why people love these animals. C. To remember him, people named the place Shennongjia. D. This beautiful place got a valuable title. E. Many rare animals live there. F. Traveling there is an unusual experience. |
The Communist Party of China (CPC, 中国共产党) was founded in 1921, which was a difficult time in China's history.
The CPC led China to realize the goals of national independence and people's liberation (解放) during the revolutionary (革命的) times before 1949. It has also led the people to achieve many "Chinese miracles (奇迹)."
Now, the CPC is the biggest party in the world. The members of the CPC must wholeheartedly serve the people and be ready to make any personal sacrifice (牺牲). They may be your parents, uncles and aunts, grandparents or teachers.
But when danger comes, they stand out and fight for the people. In the battle against COVID-19, CPC members fight on the frontlines. They put the interests (利益) of the country and people above their own. They take on great responsibilities just as the older generations did.
A. It has led the Chinese nation to stand up, become prosperous (繁荣的) and grow strong. B. You can get to know them through their various actions. C. The CPC wanted to save the country and give Chinese people a better life. D. It has over 91 million members. |
The pictures of the Chinese flag on the moon made headlines(头版头条)in China and abroad following the landing of the Chang'e —5 spacecraft.
Zhou Chengyu, a 24-year-old from Guizhou Province, has also got a lot of attention. She is the youngest—ever space commander(指挥) in Wenchang, China. She was one of the important leaders in the project.
Born in 1996 in Guizhou, Zhou is now named "Dajie" (big sister) by her workmates. She is only 1.58 meters tall. Zhou was an active and hard—working student in middle school. "She liked writing down her mistakes and seldom made the same mistakes twice", said one of her middle school teachers. "She had always dreamed of being a scientist, " In 2014, she was accepted into National University of Defense Technology. She used her time wisely and worked really hard at university.
After finishing her university, she became an astronaut in the Chang'e—5 space project.
She said that she was just a Spaceflight Worker without great achievements. She hoped that people could pay more attention to the development of China's space project.
A. She has played a key role in the Chang'e —5 pace project. B. Zhou said she was a little surprised when she learned that she was so popular online. C. In fact, the big sister is not so big. D. and she did quite well in physics and chemistry. E. But that wasn't the only thing that caught people's attention. |
The Dragon Head-raising Festival
China is a country with a long and rich history. The Double Second Festival (the Dragon Head-rising Festival or Longtaitou Festival) is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It stands for the start of spring and farming. It falls on March 14th this year.
The dragon plays an important role in Chinese culture. Dragon culture is one of the most popular cultures in China. People celebrated the Dragon Head-rising Festival with many customs about the dragon in ancient times.
On the special day, people put ashes in the kitchen. People believed that if the dragon went into their houses, they could have a good luck all year round and have a good harvest in autumn. On the special day, people ate special food. For example, people ate noodle called "dragon whiskers noodle" and dumplings called "dragon ears". On the special day, people sent gifts to each other, picked vegetables, welcomed wealth and went on a spring outing.
Today people rush to have their hair cut, especially have their children's hair cut on the Dragon Head-raising Festival. They want to make themselves have new looks and have a good year.
A. The food was usually named after the dragon. B. Why is it called "dragon lifting its head"? C. It has many colorful holidays and festivals. D. Chinese people call themselves the "descendants(传人)of the dragon" E. They thought the dragon could be led into their houses with the help of the ashes F. Even though many of the customs have faded away(消退), the tradition of cutting hair is reaching new heights. |
Exercising Together
Pets are great for our general health, and happiness. Dog owners especially benefit from (得益于)increased levels of exercise.
Dogs as personal trainers
Dog owners generally exercise more, and this has positive effects on their health over the long term. Also, they can make their owners want to get up and go.
Security
Walking with a dog can help people, particularly women, feel safer.walking with a dog can also improve social communication with other people.
Health benefits
Simply taking your dog for a daily half-hour walk is a great way to bum kilojoules. It can also let you clear your head of the worries of the day and enjoy the company of others.
Good for dog
Regular exercise with dogs isn't just great for owners, and our dogs benefit as well. It helps keep them mentally and physically healthy just like their owners.
Other pets
Cats, birds and fish can all help to reduce loneliness and stress, meaning pets owners visit the doctor less often than non-pet owners. Now that's a real benefit.
A. Walking is good for our health. B. Other pets can get some benefits from owners. C. Dr. Katrina shares her advice about exercising with pets. D. Other pets can have a good influence on owners besides dogs. E. These findings suggest dogs are almost like personal trainers. F. This in turn can encourage owners to exercise more regularly. |
Too many people want others to be their friends, but they don't give friendship back. That is why some friendships don't last very long. You must learn to treat your friend the way you want your friend to treat you. Learning to be a good friend means learning three rules: be honest; be generous(慷慨的); be understanding.
Honesty is where a good friendship starts. Friends must be able to trust one another. If you don't tell the truth, people usually find out. If a friend finds out that you haven't been honest,you may lose your friends trust.
Generosity means sharing and sharing makes a friendship grow. You don't have to give your lunch money or your clothes, of course. Instead you have to learn how to share things you enjoy, your hobbies and interests. Naturally you will want to share your ideas and feelings. They tell your friend what is important to you. By sharing them you help your friend know you better.
Sooner or later everyone needs understanding and help with a problem. Something may go wrong at school. Talking about the problem can make it easier to solve. So to be a friend you must listen and understand. You must try to put yourself in your friend's place so you can understand the problem better.
But all true friendships have three things in common. If you plan to keep your friendships, you must practice honesty, generosity and understanding.
A. To have a friend, you must learn to be one. B. A friend in need is a friend indeed. C. No two friendships are ever exactly alike. D. Turning to a friend can be a first step in solving the problem. These can be valuable to a friend. F. Good friends always trust one another to speak and act honestly. |
Close friends, think alike?
"What! You, too? I believed I was the only one. "Have you ever said something like this to someone?
It seems that similarity often helps form friendship. The Greek thinker Aristotle once said, "People regard friendship as a matter of similarity; they say that we love those who are like our-selves." Scientists from University of California said friends have similar behaviors, Scientific American reported.
The scientists invited 42 university students to take part in a test. Each student watched the same set of videos, which included a comedy, a discussion and a soccer match. According to their scans, friends who watched the same video reacted in similar ways. Similar parts of their brains lit up while watching the videos, especially parts that are connected with motivation (动机), learning and memory.
"Seeing one's friends have similar behaviors will reinforce (强化) one's own values, opinions, and interests, "lead scientist Carolyn Parkinson told Business Insider. Scientists from the University of Leipzig, Germany, found that friendship is also based on how physically close you are to someone. The scientists did a test with first-year college students the first time they met in class. In this test, students who sat in neighboring seats were more likely to become friends.
A. Now, there is some science behind this idea. B. If so, you may have ended up becoming friends with this person. C. Friends share a lot of similarities, though there are some differences. D. But brain similarity is not the only thing that can result in friendship. E. However, people who weren't friends had different reactions to the same videos. F. At the same time, scientists scanned their brains and recorded their brain activity. |
To speak to people in a foreign language requires courage. Some people are afraid of making mistakes. And that's the biggest mistake of all. Now if you have courage and are ready to make a few mistakes, what will you say?
Finding a proper topic is half the battle. Some topics, such as the weather and news, work well. But others, such as age, money or people's look do not. The following are some ways to start a conversation.
Weather—It is cold today, isn't it?
News—
A conversation in a foreign language doesn't always go easily. Sometimes your partner talks too fast and you find it difficult to follow. Don't worry. You can always ask your partner to repeat what he has said or to speak more slowly. For example, "Excuse me, but could you say that again? I didn't catch it. " or ""
At the end of a conversation you need to find a way to finish it in a polite way, "Well, I really need to go." and "" are often used by people to end a conversation.
A. It was nice talking to you.
B. They never open their mouths.
C. Firstly, be willing to make mistakes.
D. Could you speak more slowly, please?
E. Did you hear about that terrible forest fire?
F. First of all, you have to start a conversation.
When I was fifteen years old, I became very interested in shopping. I had many things that I no longer needed at home. I knew with the help of my father, I could make money. For months and months I enjoyed myself by selling things on my dad's bank account.
On July 18th, 2015, I made my own account and began to start my own business. Things were going great and then I realized that selling things around the house wasn't enough for me. I went around to the yard sale and bought things at low prices and sold them at higher prices to make money.
Last October, I went to a yard sale that was a little bit different. A lady had many nice things to sell. Through the communication, I knew she was jobless at the moment and needed money to feed her family. I thought I could do it better and more quickly for her. So I made up my mind to help her out. She looked at me for a while and then said yes. When I gave her the money, she broke down into tears thankfully.
I know my skills could be used to help those in need and that even one small act of kindness could make a difference.
A. I bought all her things. B. So I decided to increase my business by running a re-sale shop. C. And I decided to stop my business. D. I went up to her and had a conversation with her. E. I have never felt so pleased to help someone in my life. F. After being just a buyer for a while, I wanted to sell something. G. After that I took away some of her things and over the next month I made $ 1,500 for her! |
COVID-19 (新冠病毒) has stopped people from working for several months. In recent days, many people have returned to work. Here is some advice.
When commuting (通勤)
Avoid taking public transport. If you have to take public transport, you shall wear a face mask (口罩) through the ride and try to avoid touching objects in the vehicles (车辆) with your hands.
Entering the workplace
Wear a face mask and receive body temperature check before entering the office building. You must pass the body temperature check before being allowed in. If you have signs such as fever, please go to the fever office of a hospital at once.
Using a lift
Avoid using the lift if you are going to or leaving lower floors. Use the stairs instead. Stand clear of lift doors while waiting.
In offices
Do it three times a day for 15 minutes to half an hour each time. You can only get infected (感染的) if the virus builds up in large numbers. Fresh air can stop the virus from building up.
Keep healthy habits such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep. They can improve your immunity (免疫力).
A. Try to walk, cycle or drive to your office instead.
B. What steps of prevention (预防) and control are needed?
C. Do not stand face to face with people while waiting.
D. Open windows to let fresh air in during the day.
E. Wash hands in time.
Many of us have had the same "pleasant surprise". After you mark a song as a favorite on a music app(程序), it suggests songs of the same kind to listen to.
Big data(数据)is a lot of sets of information that are put together so they can be used by a computer program. It can have different kinds of information from many sources(来源), such as information that comes from schools, social media sites, companies, and governments Another set can have what they like, where they go to school, and how much time they spend on the computer.
The government uses it to understand how many people travel on buses or trains. The information is then used to make bus or train systems better. Companies use big data, too. It helps them understand who buys their products. For example, one company uses weather data to see when people eat the most ice-cream.
Big data can be used for good reasons. Some hospitals use big data to predict if a baby who is born too early will get sick. The hospital can then take extra steps to take care of that baby so he or she does not get sick. It can be used to predict which kinds of people are likely to break the law or hurt others, even if they have not done anything wrong.
It is because the computer programs used to look at big data and understand it are written by people. People think a certain way. Because they think a certain way, they build a model of those ideas. These ideas are then used to look at the data. Sometimes, these ideas are helpful for people or businesses. Other times, bad ideas can cause problems for certain groups of people.
A. Big data can be used in many ways. B. Why do we use big data for bad things? C. Big data can also be used for bad reasons. D. How can big data be used for good and bad things? E. One set of data can have people's names and addresses. F. In fact, this magic, mind-reading power depends on data. |