The best science books inspire a sense of wonder and make you amazed at the incredible world we live in.Here are four of them to feed your imagination.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
How did it all begin?And how did we get here?Combining history and science,the book offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions.Bill Bryson takes the reader on an impressive journey through the greatest scientific discoveries in history.It explains scientific topics in a vivid way,but it's quite a long read.
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
How do helicopters work?Or cells?Randall Munroe explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in English.It will shift your approach to explanation.So,next time explain how something works rather than merely call it by its name.However,additionally providing more technical terms might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience.
Ask an Astronaut by Tim Peake
What does it feel like to fly into space?How do you prepare for it?Astronaut Tim Peake answers all the questions you never knew about going into space.The book gives insights into the cutting-edge science,as well as the day-to- day life on board of the International Space Station.Its question and answer format makes it easy to quickly find answers,but it can become less appealing due to the lack of descriptive language.
Deep Time by Riley Black
Want to know the story of our planet?Riley Black takes us on a journey,in the order of time,through the geological(地质的)events that have shaped our planet.The fascinating high-quality images are supported by easily digestible explanations of key historical moments.It also expands on key concepts in geology,astronomy and biology. Yet,measuring the size of some objects on the photos is difficult due to the lack of a scale bar(比例尺).
I didn't go to Santiago,Chile to look for friendship.In fact,Chile was not even on my wish list.
A mid-life crisis woman,I got a chance to study abroad.I only wanted to learn about global business,taste South American cuisine,and check"study abroad"off my wish list.
On the fifth day,I joined a group for a neighborhood work project aided by the anti-poverty(扶贫)organization. Our tasks were to build a water tower and paint the community center.Upon arrival,I couldn't believe my eyes.It was like a scene out of a horrible film.That moment redefined poverty for me because I had never seen such terrible living conditions.As advised,I showed no signs of the emotional battle going on inside me.
Just as I was about to start work on painting,a request came through for a few volunteers to help Nadia,a local resident who volunteered to cook for us.I raised my hand to help because I wanted to spend time with the people of the neighborhood despite my shortage of Spanish speaking skills. Nadia had a sincere smile but not overly friendly.Even without speaking each other's language,we started to learn about one another.We chatted about our children,our upbringing,shared pictures of our family,struggled to instruct each other to communicate in the other's language,and laughed many times.
After we fed everybody and the dishes were washed,my day was over.But I found myself hesitant to leave.It was as if I had known her my entire life.I had not predicted the unselfishness of heart I would encounter,and it was moving.
As we were waiting for the car to pick us up,Nadia showed me her plants that are well-maintained.I could see that despite the hard conditions she was passionate about life.She made me long to be a stronger person.She showed me that poverty was external,but happiness was internal.I was seeking to give 100 percent for a well-intentioned cause,but I left receiving 200 percent from her.
There're plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available in local markets.But while those red juicy strawberries look fresh,consumers have no way of knowing how long the fruit can be stored at home.The same goes for distribution centers and supermarkets.
Now,the food technology startup OneThird,located in the Netherlands,is looking to change that with an infrared (红外线)scanner that can accurately predict how long fresh fruits and vegetables will last.The startup is named OneThird because one-third of food is wasted due to spoilage(变质)every year.
The startup's founders were inspired by a UK company that uses this type of technology in the medical field and decided to see if it was applicable for food."I looked at the challenges in the food-supply chain and found out that 40 percent of food waste is fresh produce.One of the biggest causes of waste is that nobody knows shelf life." founder and CEO of OneThird,Marco Snikkers said. Quality inspections at farms and distribution centers are done manually(手动地).An inspector checks the fruits and vegetables and makes notes about the size and quality.Then the food is sent to consumers without considering travel time or how long the produce will remain usable.
Using the infrared scanner at the distribution center means that inspectors can use the information to approve shipments that will ensure the produce can be distributed on a timely basis.This means that a shipment of ripe tomatoes will not be sent long distances away.
OneThird's scanner combines the technology of optical scanners,image modeling,and Artificial Intelligence to provide accurate shelf-life predictions. The startup found that the technology can reduce up to 25 percent produce waste that was caused by spoilage. "Global food waste has an enormous environmental impact;reducing global food waste cuts global greenhouse gas emissions and promotes global food security,"said Jacob Smith,a climate expert from the University of Maine.
When it comes to lowering blood pressure,studies have typically shown that aerobic(有氧的)exercises are best. Recent research suggests another type of physical activity is worth including as an effective tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure.
Exercises that engage muscles without movement,such as wall squats and planks,may be best for lowering blood pressure,according to a large study published in July,2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
This type of training is known as isometric exercise,according to the Mayo Clinic.Isometric muscle action happens when muscles contract but do not visibly change length,and the joints involved don't move,facilitating stability of the body.Isometric exercises can be done with weights or without,just relying on the body's own weight.
"These findings provide a comprehensive data-driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure,"said study coauthor Dr.Jamie O'Driscoll in a news release. The researchers looked into randomized controlled trials that had reported the effects of exercise interventions, lasting two or more weeks,on blood pressure between 1990 and February 2023.From a review of 270 trials with 15,827 participants,the researchers found that among HIIT (high intensity interval training),isometric exercise, aerobic exercise,dynamic resistance training and a combination of the latter two,isometric exercise led to the greatest reductions in blood pressure.
It's also important to note that there are other lifestyle changes as well as exercise that can benefit your blood pressure.These include keeping to a healthy weight,eating a balanced diet,cutting down on salt,not drinking too much alcohol and ensuring that you continue to take any prescribed medication.
More research is needed to determine exactly why isometric exercises might be better for lowering blood pressure than other types of training,the authors said.
Super communicators are people who are consistently able to create real connections with others just by listening and talking.The following are four habits of super communicators.
They know what kind of conversation they're having.Super communicators are usually able to respond accordingly.If you're having a practical conversation,your friend might ask you to help make hard decisions. If your friend is just expressing his feelings,you just need to be a good listener.
They prove they're listening.There are plenty of ways to appear like you're listening,like making eye contact or nodding.To do that,experts suggest a technique called "cycle for understanding".Ask a question and listen to the response.Repeat what they just told you.Ask your conversation partner if you got what they said correct. .
They ask a lot of the right questions.Research shows that highly effective communicators tend to ask 10 to 20 times as many questions as everyone else.They may simply be follow-up questions like"What happened next?" Super communicators also ask questions that get people to open up. They ask about people's values or experiences and create an opportunity for emotional connection. The goal of a discussion isn't to impress someone,convince someone or wait for their turn to speak. It's to genuinely comprehend someone else's point of view and share their own views accordingly.The right response creates an atmosphere of trust and openness that both parties can benefit from. .
A.They aim to understand.
B.Experts call them"deep questions"
C.They are persuasive communicators.
D.The decisions should be easy to carry out.
E.This practice sounds simple but is powerful.
F.Then you should be ready to give good advice.
G.And that is actually the most magical thing that can happen.
Anytime I travel on my bicycle across the country,I'm always amazed by how kind people can be to strangers.
One night,my friends and I were camping in a town in Missouri.There was a severe storm and we were getting 1 .A complete stranger came by to2 us that there were tornadoes(龙卷风)heading our way.The stranger invited us to his home.We were surprised by his3 for our safety.Later we learned that there had been a lightening strike near the place where we had camped and several cattle had been4 .
Fortunately,we spent the night in a nice dry home.We were5 given the opportunity to take a shower. The next morning we had breakfast with the family and6 contact information.In a way we felt like the family had become a part of our journey.This was one of the most heartwarming7 of my life because this family had nothing to8 by being so kind to us.We were9 not the type they would usually10 but they treated us with respect and kindness. The kindness of a stranger always11 my faith in humanity.Whatever the person12 always comes with no strings attached and that's the most13 part.
That family 14 us so much that during the rest of the trip,we 15 others out every chance we got. We even bought food with our busking(街头卖艺)tips for the homeless.It's always heartwarming when giving feels as good as receiving.
Dunhuang,an oasis(绿洲) in the Taklamakan Desert,used to be a major stop along the Silk Road,but is now mainly a fascinating tourist destination.
Those interested Dunhuang's colorful history will be attracted by the Mogao Caves,one of the city's main attractions.The entrance to each cave (block)by a locked door,which can only be opened by expert guides.Behind these doors are caves of all (size)—from very small to absolutely huge.The caves contain thousands of priceless manuscripts and silk paintings,which,upon their discovery,drew much (attend)to the area. Also,there are few things as special as walking across the desert oasis at sunrise. (catch)this incredible scene,you must rise early.It's bitterly cold.But as the sun rises atop the golden dunes(沙丘)and paints a (true)picturesque scene,all your efforts pay off.Sunset is a popular time for a camel ride.Get off the camels walk up a rather steep dune overlooking Crescent Lake.From this position, (regard)as the best one,the incredible sunset is awe-inspiring.
No trip to Dunhuang is complete without visiting the Dunhuang Museum, it's possible to put all of the city's historical sites into proper historical context.The museum is expansive, (contain)many original artworks.Here,you are bound to be amazed by Dunhuang's rich culture.
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡上的相应位置作答。
The Benefits of Doing Housework
When he was around 5-6 years old,my brother Ted,who is four years younger to me,suddenly found his legs unable to move one night.What followed was one of the hardest times of my parents' life.Months passed with them meeting various doctors,visiting different hospitals,and knocking at the doorstep of every possible chance ——all the time with Ted in their arms,since he wasn't able to walk on his own anymore.
There were doubts of permanent paralysis(瘫痪)— the very mention of which was enough to break us down. From finding it extremely painful to walk,to not being able to get up on his own,and to not being able to stand at all,Ted's problem was worsening day by day.Most surprisingly,all this while,he was as strong as,perhaps,only children can be in such difficult times. During this period,it was not unusual for my mother to have sudden breakdowns.Once,she burst into tears while watching Ted playing joyfully.He wiped off her tears,and said,"Don't cry,mummy.See,I can stand and even run on my own!"Saying this,he tried to get up,stood on shaking legs for just about a few microseconds and fell down,only to be safely caught in the arms of my mom,who hugged him dearly and cried some more.
This was the most heart-breaking thing that I had ever experienced.But it was also a powerful one for the simple fact that it was my little brother who taught us what life was all about—HOPE.
Witnessing my brother's strong will and positive attitude inspired me as well.As a brother,I could not stand by doing nothing at all.Hope was burning in my heart when I had the idea to train my brother to walk again.I firmly believe Ted could stand up and walk as he used to.Whenever school was over,I would put Ted into a pushchair and tell my mom that we'd just go to the park.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:In the park,I would put Ted one meter away from me,encouraging him to walk.
Paragraph 2:We agreed to keep this a secret from our parents until mom's birthday.
