A computer program that could help catch and ever translates from aliens in outer space has been started by a British scientist.
If aliens are discovered one day, scientists fear their language may make it possible to understand them. But John Elliott of needs Metropolitan University in Britain has come up with a program that can figure out the structure(结构)of their language. He thinks that’s the first step in understanding what they are saying.
Dr.Elliott’s program would compare an alien language to a database(数据库)of 60 different languages in the world to look for a similar structure. He believes that even an alien language will have its own structure.Language has to be structured in a certain way, or it will be harder to use,he told New Scientist magazine.
Research had shown that it is possible to know if a signal(信号)carries a language rather than a picture or music. Dr.Elliott has gone a step further by finding a way to pick out what might be words and sentences. Because languages have different word orders, Dr.Elliott has set up a library of the sentence structures of 60 human languages.
If a message is received from outer space, it could be compared against this database. Scientist would then be able to see if ti’s similar to any human language, or a mix of the language.
However, Dr.Elliott also said that in order to translate what the aliens are actually saying, it may still be necessary to have a code book.
1.Why did Dr.Elliott come up with the program?
A. To learn more about outer space. B. To develop a new language.
C. To help translate the messages for aliens. D. To compare an alien language to human languages.
2.According to Dr.Elliott, what’s the first step of understanding an alien language?
A. Coming up with a program. B. Knowing a structure.
C. Understanding aliens. D. Discovering aliens.
3.What does paragraph 4 mainly tell us?
A. Some necessary conditions for making the program work.
B. Dr.Elliott’s findings about different kinds of languages.
C. Three important functions of the program.
D. The number of sentence structures of human languages.
4.How does the program work when it receives a message from aliens?
A. Mix the message with 60 human languages.
B. Translate the message and send it to the database.
C. Pick out the sentence structure and translate it.
D. Compare the message to the database of 60 human languages.
5.What can we infer from the story?
A. Not all languages have their own structure.
B. The structure of alien languages is similar to that of human languages.
C. To translate alien languages, there is much work to do..
D. Alien languages are signals carrying pictures and music.
Have you ever seen rows of different cars parked on a big playground, with their boots(汽车后备箱) open? The boots are packed with things like books, pictures, kid’s toys. This is a car boot sale. It is popular in the UK.
If you have lots of things and have nowhere to put them, and don’t want to throw them away, why not try a car boot sale? Go to a car boot sale and you may be excited about what you find.
You can find almost anything at a car boot sale, from beds, tables to necklaces and ring….
Most of the things are second-hand, so they are usually low-priced. I like to hunt for books. I was petty proud when I bought four books from the Harry Potter. Series and they cost me just over ¥2.
Here is a little tip that not everybody knows; When it’s nearly the end of the sale(they usually finish in the early afternoon), many sellers cut the prices because they want to throw away things. Quite often you’ll find “all for 10p”, “Buy one and get one free” and “Take it away!”It’s clear that they just want to throw those things away.
However, there may not be much good stuff(物品)left in the end—the things people really want are sole quickly. So, as they say, the early bird catches the worm!
1.Why are most things at such a low price at a car boot sale?
A. Because they are terrible. B. Because they are useless.
C. Because they are small things. D. Because they are second-hand.
2.Which of the following things you may NOT find at a car boot sale?
A. Food and drinks B. books and pictures
C. Beds and tables D. Necklaces and rings
3.How did the writer feel when he got four books from the Harry Potter series?
A. Terrible B. Excited C. Proud D. Nervous
4.Many sellers usually cut the prices__________.
A. at the beginning of the sale B. nearly at the end of the sale
C. in the early morning D. when there is bad weather
5.What is the reading mainly about?
A. A car boot sale in the UK. B. A car show in the UK.
C. What a car boot sale. D. A good way to save money
SKYINE HOTEL, NEW YORK PARK(Five stars) 790, 8th Ave, New York, 10018, the United States of America 800-874-8547 Our lowest price:$285 | ||
Key facts | Travelling with others | Other information |
Hotel size This hotel has 861rooms This hotel has over 21 floors
Arriving/leaving Check-in time starts at 4 pm Check-out time is at noon
Required at check-in Credit card deposit(信用卡押金) Government-issued ID card Minimum(最小的)check-in age is 20 | Children Children(≦10 years old)stay free when taking the parent’s room or the guardian’s(监护人) room using existing bedding.
Pets Pets are not allowed
Internet Wi-Fi in public areas
| Valet(代客)parking Smoke-free hotel (no smoking) |
1.The lowest price at the hotel is ________.
A. $285 B. $790 C. $861 D. $874
2.If you want to stay in the hotel, you must check in________.
A. at 12:00 am B. without pets C. with cash D. without cars
3.Which is TRUE according to the table?
A. 12-year-old boy can stay for free when taking the guardian’s room.
B. If you are 21years old, you are not allowed to check in.
C. If you stay in the hotel, you can use the Wi-Fi for free.
D. You need a government-issue ID card to check-in.
4.When we see the signal Smoke-free hotel?
A. it means we can smoke freely in the hotel.
B. it means smoking isn’t allowed here.
C. we should smoke in a special room.
D. it means smoking is harmful to our health.
5.Where might we find the table?
A. In a story book. B. In a fiction book.
C. In a travel guide book. D. In a science magazine.
There are lots of successful people all over the world. Different people have different opinion about their_______.Once a successful businessman was invited to a TV interview.Everybody couldn’t wait_______the secret of his great achievements._______, he only said with a smile,“Won’t it be better for your ideas on a certain problem?”
All the people were listening to him_______.Here was his problem. He said, “people all_______to the place where a gold mine had_______been discovered. But when they got there, they found they were_______by a river in front of it. They had to cross the river if they wanted to get to the gold mine. What would you do if you were among them.”
“Make another way,”someone suggested, “Swim_______the river”said another. The businessman smiled without saying a word.Finally he gave his idea.”Why not do something_______instead of rushing to the mine? How about________a boat the ferry(渡船)service?”The listeners were all________at his idea. He then explained calmly. The man who bought the boat could________a lot of money by taking the passengers to________bank of the river. They would like to pay for the ferry________there was gold across from the bank.
Do what the others haven’t thought of or do something that others have never tired before—that is the key________success.
A difficult situation, in the eyes of a wise man, often means a chance of success.
1.A. succeed B. success C. successful D. successfully
2.A. hear B. hearing C. to hear D. heard
3.A. Already B. But C. Also D. However
4.A. care B. careful C. carefully D. careless
5.A. rushed B. entered C. got D. flew
6.A. just B. soon C. nearly D. almost
7.A. covered B. turned C. passed D. stopped
8.A. over B. through C. across D. along
9.A. difficult B. different C. interesting D. exciting
10.A. buy B. buying C. to buy D. bought
11.A. tired B. worried C. pleased D. amazed
12.A. make B. look C. send D. have
13.A. other B. others C. the other D. another
14.A. before B. so C. until D. because
15.A. of B. to C. for D. in
—I hope everything goes well for you and take care.
—______.
A. Have a good time B. Thank you C. No problem D. Never mind
We are talking about the piano and the pianist______were in the concert last night.
A. that B. which C. who D. whom
