The Best Caves in The World
Hang Son Doong, Vietnam
Natural caves don't come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn't really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.
Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand's North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable "Glowworm Caves" nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.
Mammoth Cave, the USA
If you have certain expectations from somewhere called "Mammoth Cave", that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world's longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That's twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn't unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.
Reed Flute Cave, China
Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave's walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.
Raised in a fatherless home, my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn't soften as I grew into adulthood and drifted away to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in cold weather. If I grumbled (嘟囔), he'd say in his loudest father voice, "That's what your legs are for!"
The walk didn't bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn't seem concerned about my safety. That feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached a stop, I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge (篱笆) edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I was always relieved to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father's head. Then I knew, each time I'd come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the threatening tears. He did care, after all.
On later visits, that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair. "So! My son, it's you!" he'd say, his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied, "Yes, Dad, it's me. I'm home."
Do you have a brain for math? New research indicates that levels of two key neurotransmitters (脑神经传递素) — glutamate (谷氨酸) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)can predict mathematical abilities, suggesting brain chemistry may be playing a role in those who find math easy.
The new study, published in the journal PLOS Biology, recruited 255 subjects extending a range of six-year olds in primary school to university students. The research focused on glutamate and GABA, known to play a role in brain plasticity (可塑性) and learning. Based on prior research, the focus was on two brain regions linked with mathematical abilities — the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS 顶叶内沟) and the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG 脑额中回).
The results were interestingly different. In the youngest subjects high GABA levels and low glutamate levels in the left IPS were consistently associated with high math skills. But in the older university group the exact opposite was seen: low GABA and high glutamate were linked with strong mathematical abilities. Levels of both neurotransmitters in the MFG did not associate with math skills.
The group was tested twice over 18 months, allowing the researchers to see if these neurotransmitter levels could predict mathematical ability into the future. And it worked, with neurotransmitter levels effectively predicting one's success on math tests completed a year and a half later.
Another recent study from the same research team looked specifically at GABA levels in MFG of 14 to 18 year olds. That research indicated MFG GABA levels could effectively predict whether a student was still studying maths or had ceased that subject years prior.
Cohen Kadosh, one of the researchers working on the study, says this may indicate math education can help stimulate the development of key brain regions. Further research will work on whether certain learning interventions can help those children less interested in math so these brain regions still get the developmental workout they need.
"Not every adolescent enjoys maths so we need to investigate possible alternatives, such as training in logic and reasoning that engage the same brain area as maths." says Cohen Kadosh.
Philosophers have a bad reputation for expressing themselves in a dry and boring way. The ideals for most philosophical writing are precision, clarity, and the sort of conceptual analysis that leaves no hair un-split.
There is nothing wrong with clarity, precision, and the like — but this isn't the only way to do philosophy. Outside academic journals, abstract philosophical ideas are often expressed through literature, cinema, and song. There's nothing that grabs attention like a good story, and there are some great philosophical stories that delight and engage, rather than putting the reader to sleep.
One of the great things about this is that, unlike formal philosophy, which tries to be very clear, stories don't wear their meanings on their sleeve — they require interpretation, and often express conflicting ideas for the reader to wrestle with.
Consider what philosophers call the metaphysics (形而上学) of race — an area of philosophy that explorers the question of whether or not race is real. There are three main positions that you can take on these questions. You might think that a person's race is written in their genes (a position known as "biological realism"). Or you might think of race as socially real, like days of the week or currencies ("social constructionism"). Finally, you might think that races are unreal — that they're more like leprechauns (一种魔法精灵) than they are like Thursdays or dollars ("anti-realism").
A great example of a story with social constructionist taking on race is George Schuyler's novel Black No More. In the book, a Black scientist named Crookman invents a procedure that makes Black people visually indistinguishable from Whites. Thousands of African Americans flock to Crookman's Black No More clinics and pay him their hard-earned cash to undergo the procedure. White racists can no longer distinguish those people who are "really" White from those who merely appear to be White. In a final episode, Crookman discovers that new Whites are actually a whiter shade of pale than those who were born that way, which kicks off a trend of sunbathing to darken one's skin-darkening it so as to look more While.
Philosophically rich stories like this bring more technical works to life. They are stories to think with.
Self-esteem is the ruling view you have of yourself. This includes your beliefs about your inner qualities and how you think others see you.Someone can develop low self-esteem even when they are highly functional and greatly skilled. Understanding this mysterious emotional currency might be the key to unlocking your own self-worth.
People with healthy self-esteem don't need to boast about themselves to others. People with low self-esteem may tell you how much everyone loves them, what a great job they do at work, and how amazing they are at pretty everything under the sun even though they really wonder if it's true. People may see them as obnoxious or "full of themselves".They are not shy about sharing ideas, including constructive criticisms of others. They also take care of themselves without second-guessing or apologizing. They are the people who we say seem "sure of themselves".
If you're starting to think you may have low self-esteem, you can work on the way you talk to yourself. When you turn off negative self-talk, you can open the floor to positive reinforcements and access the courage to show different sides of yourself. It isn't going to feel good at first, though. Keep going until it becomes less and less and maybe even a few awkward laughs in the mirror may help.
However, in serious cases of low or even non-existent self-esteem, you may want to call in a professional or a specialist. Good mental health is important, and professionals doing psychotherapy do not pass judgement or give corrections.It is the best way to get at the roots of your real self-esteem problems.
It will take some work but your entire life — from your relationships to your body image to your work habits — will be touched with the kind of power that only comes from someone believing in themselves. This is the hardest part, and the greatest leap. With some changes and support, you can improve your self-esteem and see how everything else changes as a result.
A. Self-esteem is not always rooted in reality, though.
B. You have the power to shape a new self-perception.
C. This encourages you to speak openly without worry.
D. The real test of character is whether they can learn from their mistakes.
E. Self-esteem refers to a person's overall sense of his or her value or worth.
F. People with a healthy level of self-esteem present themselves with a casual confidence.
G. With some practice and persistence, you will win this internal struggle to see your self-worth.
I entered this world with Poland syndrome, a disease that prevented the formation of my right arm and muscles. My parents believed playing with Lego could enhance my1 and gifted me my first kit when I was five. Initially I2 to piece the the components together but finally I crafted my first Lego work – a car. By the age of nine, I had 3 my first prosthetic arm (义肢) using Lego– a simple box that perfectly accommodated my right arm.
This early creation sparked my drive for further4 . Years later, I developed another prosthetic arm called the MK-1, which had fingers, a motor, a pressure sensor, and a grabber capable of 5 things. Before constructing it, I was against traditional prosthetics as they were too6 . My parents had looked into getting one years earlier, only to be discouraged by the prohibitive price. So, I concluded that I might not need one because I was managing well without.
As the years passed, my7 evolved from MK-1 to the more advanced and comfortable MK-V. One day, a couple with their eight-year-old son, who lost both8 in an accident, reached out to me after learning about my story. Short of money, they couldn't afford well-functioning prosthetics. "Daniel," the father9 asked, "we were wondering if you could help build a set of prosthetics for our son."
It would be a10 task, but I responded with a "yes". Without any delay, I11 the task. The subsequent days witnessed how I carefully selected the Lego piece and intricately integrated practical components to enhance its dexterity (灵巧). Days12 into weeks, and the boy-customized prosthetics finally took shape. It's time for them to fulfill their intended purpose.
I rushed to the boy's home and13 the prosthetics onto him. They worked! The room erupted with cheers! The boy expressed his gratitude and sprinted to his parents to14 them in the biggest hug. Never had I imagined that my creations, born out of mere15 , would someday make such a difference.
The English word "garden" gives an entirely wrong idea of the Chinese yuan, for "garden" suggests a lawn and a wide(vary) of flowers, altogether too formal and tidy to suit Chinese taste. The Chinese yuan suggests first of all a wild landscape, perhaps better arranged and more artistically(plan) than nature, but still a bit of nature itself, with trees, creeks, and flowers. Dotted in this natural landscape are the human structures like pavilions and long winding corridors, so(perfect) belonging to the scenery as to become a whole with it. The Chinese garden(characterize) by studied disorderliness. There are no even-cut bushes or symmetric (对称的) rows lining avenues.
No Chinese house allows an outsider(look) through the iron gates, for that would be against the principle of concealment (隐蔽). Facing the gate, we see a small courtyard giving no idea of the expansiveness of space inside, and leading one step by step into newer views, incontinual series of surprises and astonishments.wooden framework supporting most of the weight of the house, windows, doors and walls are not limited to certain locations. The essential idea of interior (室内的) decoration is the beauty of simplicity. Home designs are not something(impress) we buy from a first-class firm.tells a home from a public building is the personal touch that we give it. It is only when the spirit of leisure and loving care existsliving at home can become an art and a pleasure.
Matthew kept staring at the clock on the classroom wall, the slowly moving second hand seemed to mock his anxiety. He was eager for the physics class to end so that he could make it on time to his painting hobby group. When the bell finally rang, Matthew bolted out of the classroom like a wild horse freed from its reins, grabbing his backpack. As he rounded the corner of the hallway, he accidentally collided with a classmate, scattering his canvas and paints all over the floor. The jumbled paint boxes burst open, mixing the colors into a bizarre patchwork. He quickly apologized, picking up everything while starting to run again, leaving a trail of colorful footprints on the floor.
After the painting hobby group session ended, Matthew hurriedly joined the other members of the school band. They had an important performance that day. As expected, Matthew was late again, his body covered in dried colorful paints and sweating profusely. He walked briskly into the backstage, changed into the band's uniform, but the paint stains were still faintly visible. Unfortunately, Matthew had not prepared his sheet music, so he appeared distracted during the performance, often hitting wrong chords and unable to keep up with the rhythm, disappointing the team. Eventually, after a long day at school, Matthew returned home exhausted.
In his bedroom, Matthew sat at his desk, heaving a heavy sigh as he looked at the desk strewn with study books and sheet music. He needed to prepare for the upcoming exams, but he could hardly keep his eyes open. The next thing he remembered was his mother waking him up. He had fallen asleep with his head buried in the desk. As he sat up, his mother gently removed a sheet of music stuck to his cheek. She looked at her son lovingly, smoothing his messy hair.
"So," she began, "how was school today?"
Matthew nervously looked at her, taking a deep breath. "Honestly, not too good," he admitted sheepishly. "I couldn't focus in class, I bumped into a classmate, and I let the band down. It couldn't get any worse, right?"
"Well," Matthew's mother said gently yet seriously, "I think you're taking on too much."
That night, before going to bed, Matthew realized that things couldn't go on like this.
注意：（1）续写词数应为150个左右；（2）请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
The next day, Matthew set about making changes to his busy schedule. …… After Matthew put his new schedule into practice, things began to improve. |
