As the novel coronavirus outbreak interrupts businesses and everyday life for billions around the globe, massive conferences have moved online. The new form creates numerous technical and organizational challenges, but it also offers opportunities-for reaching wider audiences, reducing the carbon footprint of meeting travel and improving diversity. For some meetings, the switch may be lasting.
The scientific community is “ making lemonade out of lemons,” an expert says. “ Scientists are making use of a situation that’s really quite horrible and providing people a way to connect.”
In many ways, virtual conferences offer a better experience, says Altman, associate director of the Stanford Institute for AI. Altman’s institute had planned an inperson conference in April, but COVID-19 forced organizers to change it. They threw together a virtual conference to discuss how AI can help scientists fight the ongoing pandemic (流行病).The event was a great success. The original conference would have drawn a few hundred attendees, but 30,000 people watched the online version.
Altman says the virtual environment allowed hosts to better control the flow of discussion and questions from the audience. By privately messaging one another behind the scenes, they were able to make adjustments (调整).During the audience question period, the hosts didn’t open up the virtual floor for anyone to speak. Instead, they asked the audience to type their questions and screen the most insightful (有深刻见解的)ones.
Scientists acknowledge that virtual conferences can’t completely replace the conference experience. Virtual meetings might lose some of their appeal once stay-at-home requirements loosen. Even so, the success of some scientists further strengthens the society’s march toward virtual meetings.
1.What does the underlined phrase “ making lemonade out of lemons” refer to?
A.Working tirelessly to fight the pandemic.
B.Taking advantage of the difficult situation.
C.Doing research on how to make lemonade.
D.Committing themselves to their conferences.
2.What could prove the virtual conference mentioned in paragraph 3 successful ?
A.A larger audience.
B.Better arrangement.
C.Environmental friendliness.
D.Beating the ongoing pandemic.
3.What does the author intend to do in paragraph 4?
A.Provide some advice for the hosts.
B.Summarize the previous paragraphs.
C.Introduce a new topic for the audience.
D.List some advantages of virtual conferences.
4.In which section of a newspaper does this text probably appear?
A.Business. B.Opinion. C.Culture. D.Travel.
Years ago, I had a falling out with a friend due to a misunderstanding that was completely my fault. I was afraid to admit that I was wrong, so we didn’t speak for years. Then we bumped into each other and decided to meet for lunch. It was so pleasant that we kept meeting. After two or three meals together, I pushed myself to apologize for my fault years earlier.
My experience isn’t unique: Many people avoid apologizing because the idea of admitting to wrongdoing makes them terribly uncomfortable. “We all like to view ourselves as good people- as kind, considerate and moral,” says Ryan Fehr, a professor at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
“Apologies force us to admit to ourselves that we don’t always live up to our own standards. We might also fear that the victim (受害者)won’t accept our apology, further compromising (作出让步；违背)our positive sense of self. For these reasons, an apology can be very difficult to give.”
For many, apologizing is stressful, awkward and uncomfortable. Research shows that it can improve your mental health, repair damaged relationships and increase self-respect.
“Apology acts as a signal of one’s moral character,” Fehr says. “It represents a separation of the offender(冒犯者)from the offense. The offender is saying: “ I recognize that what I did was hurtful, but that offense does not represent me as a person. ”Even if you speak your words not fluently, they will mean a lot. Victims usually do appreciate an apology. ” Fehr says.
I know this first-hand: My friend and I had lunch recently, 15 years after my belated (迟来 的)apology. Admitting that everything had been my fault helped. We’re both appreciative to have our friendship today.
1.What is the purpose of paragraph 1?
A.To tell us the background. B.To present the topic.
C.To describe the misunderstanding. D.To provide some guidance.
2.What makes it hard to make an apology?
A.Lack of chances. B.Shortage of money.
C.Regret and shame. D.Fear and awkwardness.
3.What does the underlined word “they” refer to in paragraph 5?
A.Offenders. B.Victims.
C.Words of an apology. D.Replies to an apology.
4.What does Ryan Fehr think about making an apology?
A.It will give both sides some relief.
B.It means giving up our self-respect.
C.It will make people value friendship.
D.It is no use forcing people to make an apology.
Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite food. And reading is my favorite hobby. When you are deeply absorbed in a book, you stop paying attention to what’s going on around you. People describe it as being “lost in a book”. It’s a wonderful feeling, but it can be risky.
One day I was home alone doing two of my favorite things: Eating a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs and reading. At the time, my family had a pet bird, a big white cockatoo named Luke. He was free to leave his perch (栖木)and fly around inside the house. Luke enjoyed “talking” to people, but he wasn’t trained to use real words.
As I was reading and eating, Luke was talking to me, but I was lost in my book. So Luke decided to get closer. He flew from his perch, and before I knew it, he’d landed right on top of my spaghetti and meatballs!
I was so surprised that I didn’t even have time to think. My reaction was the same as yours would be: I shooed (发出嘘声赶走)him off my food! This wouldn’t have been so bad except for one thing: When Luke had landed on my plate, he had grabbed (抓住)my spaghetti with both feet. So when Luke took off again, the spaghetti-still in his feet-went flying everywhere, landing on my shirt and hitting me in the face. Red sauce splattered (泼溅)up the wall and onto the ceiling. As I pulled noodles out of my hair, Luke flew back to his perch, dropping spaghetti sauce all the way.
He wasn’t hurt, except for his dignity-the sauce in his beautiful white feathers turned him orange for several weeks. So next time if you find a spy novel at the library with red, spots on two pages near the middle, you’ll know that I’ve read that book ,too!
1.What do we know about Luke?
A.He is lost in reading a spy novel.
B.He is good at communicating with people.
C.He is fond of eating Spaghetti and meatballs.
D.He is permitted to fly freely inside the house.
2.What is paragraph 4 mainly about?
A.I reacted properly to Luke’s behaviour.
B.Luck was attracted by my Spaghetti.
C.Luck made the room in a mess.
D.I was addicted to my reading.
3.How does the author sound when telling the story?
A.Puzzled. B.Humorous. C.Anxious. D.Annoyed.
4.What might be a suitable title for the text?
A.Love Me, Love My Dog B.More Food Hurts the Body
C.Reading Can Be Dangerous D.Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds
This Midwest State is a biking paradise. Here are the best trails (路线) to hit.
♦ Root River Trail
Best for: Experts and beginners looking to explore Minnesota’s sightseeing
It is a railroad track-turned-bike path located along the state’s southern border with Iowa. It offers 42 paved miles with beautiful lake scenery. Cyclists will be entertained by the landscape.
♦ Grand Round National Scenic Byway
Best for: Pretty much anybody who can ride a bike
Connecting some of Minneapolis’ most popular parks and sites, this loop spiderwebs out to an amazing 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. Highlights along one of America’s best urban trail networks include the iconic Chain of Lakes stretch, which focuses on the beautiful waterfront areas.
♦Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Best for: Beginners and professionals looking for unmatched lakeside views
It is a work in progress: When completed, it will be an 88-mile paved trail that hugs the dramatic North Shore of Lake Superior, connecting Two Harbors and passing through five state parks along the way. Cyclists will pass through forests, cross numerous waterfalls, and access several of Lake Superior’s impressive beaches.
■ Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Best for: Beginner mountain bikers and thrill-seekers
Once home to several iron mines, the central city of Cuyuna is now among the state’s top mountain-biking destinations and is one of just 15 Silver Ride Centers in the world. With more than 30 miles of mixed-difficulty single track trails for beginners and adventurers alike, they offer great lake views.
1.What is special about Root River Trail?
A.It is the shortest trail. B.It was once a railroad.
C.It is under construction. D.It was home to iron mines.
2.Which trail appeals to adventurers?
A.Root River Trail. B.Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails.
C.Gitchi-Garni State Trail. D.Grand Round National Scenic Byway.
3.What do the trails have in common?
A.The trails are far from cities.
B.The trails are for professionals.
C.Cyclists on the trails can enjoy lake views.
D.Cyclists can experience mixed-difficulty trails.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did Katie do with her first cabbage?
A.She donated it to the hungry people.
B.She gave it to the school kitchen.
C.She ate it with her family.
2.How did Katie get land to start her first garden?
A.From her school. B.From her community. C.From her parents.
3.What is Katie’s goal now?
A.To get 500 gardens.
B.To raise over $200,000.
C.To travel across 50 states.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the relationship between the speakers?
A.Colleagues. B.Fonner schoolmates. C.Teacher and student.
2.Which high school is the best in the city?
A.Landway High School. B.Colin High School. C.Aston High School.
3.What does the woman suggest the man do?
A.Meet her foreign teacher.
B.Teach her oral French.
C.Take a walk with her.
4.Where will the speakers go next?
A.A school. B.A bookstore. C.A park,
