Ten years ago, I set out to examine luck. I wanted to know why some people are _______ in the right place at the right time, while others consistently experienced ill fortune. I placed _______ in national newspapers asking for people who felt consistently lucky or unlucky to _______ me.
Hundreds of extraordinary men and women volunteered for my _______. Over the years I interviewed them, watched their lives and had them _______ various experiments.
I carried out a simple _______ to discover whether their differences in _______ was due to differences in their ability to _______ opportunities. I gave both the lucky and unlucky people a newspaper, and asked them to look _______ it and tell me how many photographs were inside. I had ________ placed a large message halfway through the newspaper saying … “Tell the experimenter you have seen this and win $50.”
This ________ took up half of the page and was written in type that was more than two inches high. It was staring everyone straight in the face, but the unlucky people tended to ________ it and the lucky people tended to spot it.
Unlucky people are generally more ________ than lucky people, and this anxiety affects their ability to notice the ________. As a result, they miss opportunities because they are too ________ on looking for something else. They go to gatherings focused on finding their perfect partner and miss opportunities to make good friends. They look through newspapers ________ to find certain types of job advertisements and miss other types of ________.
Lucky people are more ________ and open, and therefore see what is there rather than just what they are looking for. My research eventually showed that lucky people create good fortune via four ________. They are skilled at creating and ________ chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition (直觉), create self-fulfilling prophesies (预言) via positive expectations and adopt a “never say die” attitude that transforms bad luck into good.
1.A.never B.always C.sometimes D.seldom
2.A.messages B.activities C.reports D.notices
3.A.contact B.trust C.show D.follow
4.A.game B.adventure C.research D.contest
5.A.participate in B.learn about C.look into D.carry out
6.A.observation B.experiment C.competition D.discussion
7.A.attitude B.manner C.lifestyle D.luck
8.A.share B.spot C.create D.predict
9.A.through B.over C.for D.after
10.A.hesitantly B.carelessly C.secretly D.excitedly
11.A.copy B.message C.diagram D.introduction
12.A.pass B.miss C.notice D.misunderstand
13.A.nervous B.frustrated C.awkward D.pitiful
14.A.difficult B.dangerous C.important D.unexpected
15.A.fixed B.focused C.dependent D.strict
16.A.confident B.disappointed C.determined D.surprised
17.A.jobs B.notes C.news D.signs
18.A.reliable B.hardworking C.smart D.relaxed
19.A.goals B.preferences C.principles D.steps
20.A.inventing B.noticing C.taking D.adopting
One of the best aspects of travel is in discovery. Whether you're burying yourself in a new culture or wandering the streets of a foreign city, you're finding new things to see and experience. Part of that discovery is in what you learn about yourself. 1..
Here are some of those ways:
◆ 2.
Travel means new foods, cultures and places to explore. Try speaking that new language or eat a new kind of food you never knew existed. When you’re thrown outside of your normal circumstances, you’ll discover more about who you are and what you're like.
◆ The chance to reinvent yourself
At home, people can see you a certain way and classify you into a personality type that can be hard to escape. 3.. You're free to break away from how people normally see you and reinvent yourself.
◆ Building confidence
You've just traveled across a country, tried a new language and bargained over prices in a market. They're all things you didn't know you could do before, but you dug up a new-found sense of adventure and somehow made it work. 4.. And the more challenges you take on, the more sure of yourself you become.
◆ Choices and organizing skills
What's the best route to take so I see all the major attractions? What's the best way to get to the next city and back so I don't miss my flight? How should I organize my itinerary (行程)? 5.. You have to organize your trip so that you have a place to stay and transportation to and from certain destinations.
A.With travel, come challenges
B.Travel is about making choices
C.Forcing you out of your comfort zone
D.Trips don't always go according to plan
E.Having time to reflect on your life
F.Travel can give you a chance to explore other sides of your personality
G.Like most experiences, travel can change you in ways you might never have expected
Before war and time destroy more of our important cultural sites, we need to save them in 3-D digital libraries. Across 163 different countries, 1,000 natural and cultural historic places make up our most precious human heritage, which UNESCO calls World Heritage Sites.
We lose a little of that heritage every day. War, climate change and pollution have a bad effect, as do wind and rain. The $4 million a year that UNESCO spends on preservation is not nearly enough to take care of even the four dozen sites considered at approaching risk of being lost forever. Now there’s a better choice. New digital-conservation technologies let us hold on to them, at least virtually(虚拟的), through 3-D scanning, modeling and digital storage. Such projects can be accomplished through cooperation between governments, universities, industry and non-profit organizations.
To make a 3-D model, a laser(激光) scanner bounces light off an object and records the results. To reproduce every corner and opening, the scanner collects overlapping(重叠的) images from all possible angles. A computer then sews them together into one large surface image and draws lines from one point to another to create a wire-frame model. High-resolution digital cameras add color and texture. When fully put together, the models can be viewed, printed or operated.
These scans do more than preserve a memory in a database. With highly accurate measurements, archaeologists(考古学家) can find hidden passages or reveal ancient engineering tricks. School kids can explore places they might otherwise never see. And when a site is destroyed, the scans can even be used to reconstruct what was there. That has already happened for one World Heritage Site, the Kasubi Tombs in Uganda. Built of wood in 1882, they were destroyed by fire in 2010 and rebuilt in 2014, based in large part on 3-D models made in 2009. More than 100 World Heritage Sites have been already preserved as 3-D models, and conservationists are racing to record as many more as possible.
1.How does the author show the necessity for 3-D digital libraries in the first two paragraphs?
A.By listing the threats to our human heritage.
B.By introducing some damaged historical sites.
C.By quoting some experts’ views on heritage protection.
D.By explaining UNESCO’s research on World Heritage Sites.
2.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
A.The function of a laser scanner. B.The reflection of light off an object.
C.The process of making a 3-D model. D.The development of 3-D digital technology.
3.What do we know about the Kasubi Tombs in Uganda?
A.It is metal-framed. B.It is still in its original condition.
C.It was once destroyed in an earthquake. D.It was reconstructed thanks to 3-D models.
4.What does the author intend to say through this text?
A.Never ignore the destructive power of war.
B.Take action to reduce pollution in historic places.
C.Take advantage of 3-D technology to keep history.
D.Invest more money to preserve World Heritage Sites.
A new kind of rice, golden rice, may soon make its way into the world’s food supply by the year 2021, reports Science magazine.
Golden rice was actually first developed back in the 1990s by German scientists who were looking for creative ways to reduce rates of Vitamin A deficiency(维生素A缺乏症) in human body, which continues to be a major concern throughout the developing world. Beta-carotene(胡萝卜素), which exists in some plants, can change into vitamin A in our body.
In view of beta-carotene’s characteristics, German scientists tried and managed to make rice filled with additional beta-carotene, which has a strong red orange color. The beta-carotene that is added to this rice is actually what conduces to its special golden color.
To German scientists, developing this rice was meaningful. But as with all GM(转基因的) crops, some people warn that the golden rice may be unnecessary and even harmful, possibly having some environment consequences. Until now, those voices have prevented golden rice from being planted anywhere.
However, that’s about to change. Bangladesh now plans to become the first country to approve golden rice for planting. Recently, golden rice is receiving a series of tests before the final approval of Bangladesh. Tests conducted by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) found no new farming challenges with golden rice and no big differences in quality between the crop and the traditional varieties, with the exception that golden rice is more nutritious. Some other organizations are still doing tests about the environmental influences of the crop. If those results are also good, then golden rice will have received all the approval it needs to move forward with planting.
As for the future market for the golden rice, the crop will need to gain the public’s trust. And it remains to be seen whether golden rice will offer a better nutritional and economical choice compared to other sources of vitamin A, such as other vegetables where it occurs naturally.
1.What was German scientists’ main purpose of working on rice?
A.To raise its output. B.To make it look prettier.
C.To collect its beta-carotene. D.To improve its vitamin A content in our body.
2.What does the underlined part “conduces to” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Causes. B.Changes. C.Removes. D.Lightens.
3.What do BRRI’s tests show about golden rice?
A.It can hardly grow on the farmland of Bangladesh. B.It is nutritionally better than traditional rice.
C.It may do serious harm to the environment. D.It is no different from other rice in taste.
4.How is golden rice’s future market in the author’s opinion?
A.Promising. B.Worrying. C.Uncertain. D.Hopeless.
The other day, my wife and I were in Kent County when we saw smoke on the horizon. We went about our business for a little while, and then curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to go over and check out the fire. It turned out there was a brush fire that got out of control and grew from 25 acres to 100 acres.
What struck me most about that day was the word “volunteer” written on almost every piece of emergency equipment that I could see. No one was getting paid to fight the fire that day. They were there because they chose to be, not because they had to be.
How many of us would wake up early one fine Sunday morning, get dressed in hot, bulky(笨重的) clothing and risk our lives for no money and little reward? These folks do that all the time. I live in a densely populated(人口稠密的) area, and our local fire department is volunteer. Most of the time when we see these individuals, they are either on the way to or back from an emergency. We also occasionally see them collecting money on the side of the road. With either boots or helmets in hand, they ask for donations to keep them in the latest life-saving equipment. I think very few people give them the amount that’s equal to, say, a basic cable(缆绳) bill.
As a small business owner, I really can’t give these people enough money. And I don’t think our communities do enough to honor these people who risk their lives and volunteer. If you ever lose your faith in people, follow one of these trucks to a disaster and watch who jumps off and what they do. I believe you’ll be amazed by what total strangers are willing to do to protect you.
1.When the author was in Kent County the other day, he __________.
A.lost his business B.had a quarrel with his wife
C.witnessed a big fire D.acted as a volunteer firefighter
2.What does the question in Paragraph 3 mainly show?
A.Volunteer firefighters are really selfless.
B.Most of brush fires break out on Sundays.
C.Volunteers firefighters often get up earlier than others.
D.More and more people are ready to be volunteer firefighters.
3.How does the author feel about people’s donations to volunteer firefighters?
A.Disappointed. B.Confident. C.Curious. D.Excited.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Do what we can to prevent fires B.Don’t put yourself at risk of a fire
C.Keep a warm heart in volunteer work D.Don’t take volunteer firefighters for granted
San Antonio Aquarium
As home to a variety of underwater creatures, the San Antonio Aquarium is a favorite attraction for visitors and locals alike. No matter which of the water creatures are your favorite, all ages will find excitement at all the interactive(互动的) displays, exhibits, and daily shows.
Stingray Touch Tank
Dip your hands into the cool water and watch in amazement as stingrays(黄貂鱼) brush up against your fingers and even let you touch them. The touch tank is perfect for the young who have an appreciation for the stingrays.
Rainforest and Desert Experiences
This wonderful habitat is bursting with a variety of reptiles and amphibians(两栖动物), including lizards and frogs. The wet rainforest and extremely dry desert experiences provide chances to see the home lives of these amazing creatures from different areas of the globe.
Giant Pacific Octopus
The aquarium is home to the Giant Pacific Octopus, the largest species of octopus(章鱼) in the world! Watch this gentle giant float around with elegance in different colors. It’s a one-of-a-kind highlight of the aquarium visit you won’t want to miss.
Daily Shows
Throughout the day, various wonderful shows run within the aquarium park for free. These shows highlight the habits and behavior of the reptiles, amphibians and even the Giant Pacific Octopus.
Pony Rides, Roller Coasters & Merry-Go-Round
After visiting the aquatic wonders of the world, on the aquarium ground, you will find that for an extra cost, you can treat the kids to pony rides, roller-coaster rides and merry-go-round rides.
1.Which of the following creatures in San Antonio Aquarium can be touched by hands?
A.Frogs B.Lizards C.Stingrays. D.Octopuses.
2.What are the attractions of the Giant Pacific Octopus?
A.Its fast floating and feeding.
B.Its huge size and changing colors.
C.Its cute look and wonderful performances.
D.Its elegant swimming postures and interaction with visitors.
3.What activity is additionally charged in San Antonio Aquarium?
A.Watching daily shows. B.Going for a roller-coaster ride.
C.Seeing the home lives of lizards. D.Appreciating the largest species of octopus.
