相关试卷

the smart home devices, our lives have become

Smart home devices have to our everyday life.

Do you know about dinosaurs? These p animals living in times before recorded history, roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Some scientists believe that certain dinosaurs, like the Troodon, might have been i enough to learn basic skills. They lived e—in grasslands, forests, and even near rivers. Have you ever wondered how some dinosaurs could fly? Creatures like the pterodactyl used their large wings to cover long distances, searching for food. Sadly, a mysterious event led to their d. Scientists face the challenge of studying their bones. Their bones can show how these amazing animals lived, hunted, and suffered when they s on Earth.

People use defined formulas (公式) to move beads (有孔的珠子) on the abacus for all kinds of maths problems, from simple addition to complex equations (方程式). Beginners can perform quick calculations after some basic training.

Since 1949, abacus associations have been set up in China. And various zhusuan competitions have been organized. In 2008, zhusuan became a national intangible cultural heritage.

Although modern electronic devices have replaced the abacus for daily calculations, zhusuan still has great value. It helps improve children's attention, memory and thinking skills. Having been passed down for generations, it has helped form a strong sense of China's cultural identity (认同感).

Today, many places are working to protect and promote the value of traditional calculation techniques. Some schools, such as Dawei Primary School in Huangshan and Shilimiao Primary School in Hefei, have zhusuan courses or exhibition halls. Teachers are trying new ways to combine zhusuan with modern maths, hoping more people will learn and love this traditional Chinese skill.

A. There are over 20 museums or exhibition halls about zhusuan in China.

B. Certain rules have been developed to test zhusuan skills.

C. It is widely considered as one of the great inventions of China.

D. In Chinese, "zhusuan" directly means calculating with beads.

E. And it has also become an important symbol of Chinese culture.

Lu Ban, a famous Chinese craftsman from about 2,500 years ago, is known as "China's father of carpentry". He created many tools like the saw, the plane, and the ink line. Lu Ban also invented the Luban lock to test his son's skills. His son worked on it all night and finally solved it by morning, showing its challenge and fun.

Lu Ban's Tools

Lu Ban's inventions changed woodwork. The plane helps make surfaces flat on hard wood. The ink line, inspired by threads (线), helps draw straight lines. The saw is strong enough to cut hard wood. Once, Lu Ban cut his hand on a leaf. So he got the idea of making a tool with a toothed edge which became the first saw.

Symbol of Luban Locks

In 2023, UN representative Zhang Jun used the Luban lock to symbolize teamwork. He showed that if one piece of the lock is removed, the whole structure falls apart, highlighting the importance of unity.

Cultural Heritage

Today, Luban locks are not only fun puzzles but also cultural treasures. Tengzhou, Shandong Province, Lu Ban's birthplace, is famous for making these locks. Li Hao, a lock-making master, runs a big company with over 100 workers to keep the craft alive. In 2023, their sales reached 30 million yuan.

Modern Luban Locks

Traditional Luban locks have six pieces, but more advanced ones can have over 100.

Lu Ban locks show the creativity and intelligence of Chinese culture, combining fun with history and skill.

UBTECH is a key part in developing advanced robots. In 2023, it helped found the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, allowing people to use over 300 patents (专利). Earlier this year, a robot called Tiangong Ultra developed by the centre won the world's first humanoid robot half marathon in Beijing. This shows how far Chinese robotics has come!

What makes UBTECH stand out? By the end of 2024, the company had 2,680 authorized (授权的) patents, and more than 90% of the core parts used in its humanoid robots were made in China. This means it depends on its own technology, not foreign imports (进口). Its latest industrial humanoid robot, Walker S1, has got practical training in real factories and logistics companies (物流公司). It can deal with tasks like sorting goods, installing parts, and checking quality.

Shenzhen, as a tech hub, is taking measures to expand the scale of its humanoid and intelligent robot industries. An action plan aims to build about 1,200 related companies by 2027, creating a market of more than 100 billion yuan.

The industrial cluster (产业集群) in Shenzhen is becoming more popular. The complete industrial chain helps Unitree Robotics, a technology company, shorten the period of product development, making its products highly competitive in overseas markets. Close connection with Hong Kong is another advantage, which makes it easier for companies to attract international talent. Together these companies blend Hong Kong's R&D strength with Shenzhen's manufacturing (制造业) to build a stronger tech future.

After my daughter set up my new computer, I looked for the old email program I used, only to find that it wasn't on this model. When I tried to download the program again, it wouldn't work. I spent the next day talking to four different customer service workers, but no one could help. I also had a terrible time downloading my old typing program. Then I had a problem moving all of my old storage from a different hard drive. The new computer's programs were difficult for me to use. I wasn't used to them. Each time I opened one of them, it changed everything on my screen. I had to work hard to find out how to change them back. In the end, I made so many mistakes while using the computer that my daughter had to set it up all over again.

But now, the new computer is set up properly and I think I can still use it to do some simple things. I only hope it will work as long as my old computer did.

One thing I learned from all of this is that when it comes to computers and life, I want to keep things simple. I don't want to wake up in the morning and worry about what I have to do. Instead, I want to pet my dogs, take them outside, and watch the sun slowly rise. I want to spend time hugging my children and hearing them calling me Mum. Be a person—not a program.

Van Gogh spent his early adult life working for an art company. After a short period as a teacher, he became a missionary (传教士). He did not begin his career as a painter until 1880. However, during the last ten years of his life, he produced more than 2,000 pieces, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. Van Gogh used the bright colours and style of painting in a special, recognizable (可辨认的) style. Most of his best-known works were produced during his final two years, when he was having a serious illness.

In 1890, Van Gogh shot himself in the chest (胸部). He died two days later, with Theo, his brother and his best friend, at his side, who reported his last words as "The sadness will last forever."

Van Gogh's mother threw away quite a number of his paintings. The only painting he sold during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, was created in 1888. It is now on show in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia. As he became more and more famous, his paintings are more and more popular. Several paintings by Van Gogh rank among the most expensive paintings in the world. On 30 March, 1987, Van Gogh's painting Irises was sold for a record of $53.9 million at Sotheby's, New York. On 15 May, 1990, his Portrait of Doctor Gachet was sold for $83.5 million at Christie's, setting a new price record.

Dan Niu used to work in a bank but now3 bike tours for foreign tourists in Shanghai. "On our rides, we can stop anytime to chat with people at breakfast spots, or dance with retirees in public squares," he says. His 4 show visitors the real Shanghai, not just tourist sites.

Travel agencies are 5 too. GZL International Travel Service in Guangdong has more multilingual (使用多种语言的) guides. English-speaking guides are the most popular, but Japanese, Spanish and Russian guides are also wanted. Now, AI translation is common, and tourists can travel to many foreign countries without the need for a translator. 6, the human connection is still highly valued. After all, while technology can help translate, it cannot guide. Human guides provide something special: friendship and cultural understanding.

Different tourists want different 7. Young travelers enjoy street food and city walks, while older visitors 8 history and tradition. Some want to try taiji or calligraphy (书法), and others love shopping for Chinese-style clothes. River cruises (乘船游览) and natural scenery are 9 too.

Social media helps connect guides with visitors. Yami, a Russian-language graduate student, says, "I use apps to find clients and am fully booked for months. I 10 the world from my guests."

As more foreigners discover China's rich culture and beautiful sights, the tourism boom brings people together in wonderful ways.

58-year-old Song Aixia is the leader of 3 team. "Our team was founded to help its members step out of their homes and be part of society," said Song. "So far, we 4 several wheelchair dances. Everyone sits tall in their wheelchairs, moving their arms, turning, and shifting formations (队形) to the rhythm of the music 5."

Each member brings their own lively energy to the team. Coach Wang Jue, who paid for her own training, created dance moves specifically for dancers with disabilities. Zhang Xiuqin, now in her seventies, keeps attending throughout the year. Ni Ming, who lives with myasthenia, spent months 6 to perform a fan dance.

7 this wheelchair dance team performs in unison, they show not only artistry but also the unbreakable spirit of resilience (坚韧).

"Wheelchairs cannot stop our dreams of a 8 life," said Song. These dancers illuminate (照亮) life through art, dancing in the light of hope and perseverance.

Through dance, these dancers bring hope to both 9 and others. They prove that with passion (热情), anyone can shine—no matter what challenges they face. As they move in rhythm, they remind us: life's dance is about hearts, not 10.

—________, John. Call us when you are back home.

—Why not think ________ and maybe you will find something useful!

—I don't think so. I like running rather than ________.

—They were very friendly. They tried to cook ________ for me when I lived there.