相关试卷

Creative writing is a fun way to express your thoughts and emotions. One typical form is a short story. A story is like a playground for your imagination.

You may know or not know what your story would be like. That's OK. Sometimes it can feel frightening to write a story because you have an idea of what the story has to be. Creative writing doesn't have to follow traditional rules. When inspiration hits you, be ready to write down the idea.

Think about who you would like it to be, whether a person, an animal, or a mythical creature. Next, develop your character by answering a few questions: What does my character love and fear? What does my character want? Deciding your character's ambitions in life will be the engine that drives your story.

Then you can put barriers in their way to add drama or humor to your story. Once you know what your character wants, you can add drama or humor to your story by putting barriers in their way. This is where writing a story gets really fun. Ask yourself if you want your story to be serious or silly. If you' re stuck for ideas about the barriers, think of the funniest, oddest thing you ever did.

Writing isn't meant to be perfect the first time. Try reading the first draft of your story out loud, and share it with a trusted family member or friend. Does it make sense and get the reaction you have in mind? If not, you can go back to your story and make changes to get it to a place you're happy with.

A. That's why we have drafts and revisions.

B. So you are likely to give up your inspiration.

C. It's a great place to experiment and try new ideas.

D. A great place to begin any story is with a main character.

E. But there is no right or wrong when you're writing a story.

F. This is also when you can decide on the tone of your story.

G. The more characters you create, the funnier your story will be.

The dodo, a flightless bird with a large. hooked beak (鸟喙), lived on Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. Adult dodos were up to about 3 feet tall and weighed up to 51 pounds, making them larger than a modern turkey. They likely ate fruits, nuts, and seeds from the forest floor and swallowed stones to break up food in their bodies, which some modern birds do as well

Few dodo fossils or samples of soft tissue (组织) have been found, which means scientists haven't been able to learn much else about them. To address that, a research team looked through 400 years of writing and scientific gatherings on the dodo. They concluded that the animal was probably not such an awkward bird after all. Written descriptions of live dodos suggested that the birds actually moved quickly.

The team also re-examined dodo fossils and remains and concluded that the bird had powerful tendons (肌腱) in its toes-just similar to modern birds that climb and run. This provided further evidence that the dodo was an active, speedy bird. "The birds were fast and, before being wiped out, had been doing their thing and doing it incredibly well for millions of years," said Neil Gostling, an author of the recent study.

Scientists think dodos went extinct in the 1600s when Dutch sailors in Mauritius began hunting them. Dodos didn't have predators on the island before that, so they weren't afraid of humans and were easy to catch. This contributed to the idea that the birds were slow and not smart. However, scientists also know that sailors brought cats, dogs, pigs, and rats, which ate dodos' chicks and damaged their habitat, helping to kill them off.

The research team's work is just the beginning of a larger project aimed at finding out more about the ancient creature. "The mystery of the dodo bird is about to be cracked wide open," said Markus Heler, another author of the study.

Then the day came when I finally realized I had to make a change. Head down, eyes on my smartphone, I stepped into the road and a car shot past, nearly knocking me off my feet! At that very moment, I made up my mind to spend a whole week without my smartphone.

The first day was the hardest. I was used to checking the news and my friends' social media updates every few minutes. I kept reaching for my pocket, for my smartphone that was not there. I felt empty and uneasy, as if I had missed something of value. I felt disconnected from everyone and everything.

It was scary. But then somehow I began to feel free. I finally picked up the classic novel I had always wanted to read and was soon lost in the beautiful language. I went out for a run and felt more alive than I had in days. Best of all, I began to appreciate the beauty in life with my own eyes, instead of through my smartphone camera.

My offline relationships benefited as well. I went for a long walk with an old friend. Our wide-ranging conversation went so much deeper than brief texts ever could. With eyes no longer fixed on our phones, we had a chance to really enjoy staying with each other. I also made sure to spend more time with my parents. We went to the opera, played badminton, and visited museums. We had never felt closer to each other.

By the end of the week, I almost did not want to turn my phone back on. Those seven days have given me a great appreciation for life beyond the screen. Life beyond smartphones is richer and more beautiful, and I am going to take advantage of it.

Posted at 6:44 p. m., 10th May by Alan

Eiffel Tower

Presented as part of the 1889 World Exposition in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has become the city's most famous attraction. It is accessible on Line 6 or Line 8 of the Paris Metro by Bir-Hakeim or Trocadéro stations. If possible, avoid visiting this spot at peak hours (10:00 a. m.-5:00 p. m.) or on weekends, so you can make the most of your visit to enjoy the views from the top. The best moments are right after it first opens on weekdays.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral has long towered alongside the banks of the Seine River ever since the 12th century. With its complicated Gothic (哥特式的) architectural details, it represents Parisian religion and architecture. Although a fire broke out on April 15th, 2019, destroying part of it, it was finally restored and officially reopened to the public on December 7th, 2024. You are able to take the subway Line 4 to get there.

Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world where you can witness the city's rich painting history from the medieval (中世纪的) period to the present. It is easily accessible on Line 1 from the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre station. It is closed on Tuesdays as well as January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th each year.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe serves as a national symbol of France, which was built by Napoleon I in celebration of the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Take Line 1,2, or 6 to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station and you will see the Arc de Triomphe. Visitors can purchase tickets for a tour to the top to enjoy the views of the city.

From Code And Arm To Care And Action

In a senior high school, Mr. Hurd's hands-on workshop was alive-robotic arms clicking and lines of code (代码) flashing on screens. Wilson sat focused at his workstation.

With steady hands, he carefully connected the final wire of the robotic arm with the remoter and uploaded his code. With the remoter, Wilson tried to control the robotic arm beside his desk. Finally, the arm came to life, smoothly picking up a small ball as planned. At the sight of it, Wilson exchanged a high-five with his classmate Peter, who made a successful attempt as well. Around them, students were rewriting the code, adjusting their robotic arms, testing their functions and celebrating their progress. Mr. Hurd wandered between the desks, offering tips and encouragement. When he reached Wilson and Peter, he nodded with a satisfied smile. "Impressive," he said. Wilson and Peter's faces lit up at the praise.

Seeing their proud smiles, Mr. Hurd nodded approvingly and said, "You've done a remarkable job with your robotic arms, but what can this arm help in real life?"

After school, lost in Mr. Hurd's question, Wilson unconsciously took a different route home, one he hadn't adopted for years. As he approached the lake, he froze in disbelief, shocked by what he saw. The once-clear water was now dark and polluted, with bottles and other rubbish piling up along the bank.

He couldn't believe his eyes. The lake used to shine like silver under the morning sun, and butterflies danced above flowers while families laid out picnic blankets on the grassy banks. Wilson remembered those mornings clearly, especially the one when his grandfather said, "This lake raised us. One day, it'll be your turn to take care of it."

Sitting on a rock by the shore, Wilson stared at the rubbish in front of him. "How did something so beautiful end up like this? What could I do to help it?" he thought. Then, suddenly, an idea hit him.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为150左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卷的相应位置作答。

The next morning, Wilson told Peter his thoughts.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After a month, they tested their new design near the lake.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. 人物简介及事迹；

2. 给你的启示和影响。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为80左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The Person I Admire Most

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Every step forward unfolds a different scenery, like stepping into a living painting." This is a fitting description of a journey on the 39.6 kilometer-long China National Highway 348, links the Three Gorges (三峡) project with some scenic spots. (drive) through the highway is like attending a class in geology.

The highway was updated in 2020. Now, as the only national highway (build) to access the Three Gorges scenic area, this tourist road is not just a result hard work, but also filled with Earth's mysteries. As an example of combining transportation and tourism, the highway has (creative) combined a learning experience of geological landscapes with an ecological corridor and nine rest areas.

The breathtaking scenery, abundant geological landscapes and (culture) relics along the highway (draw) many visitors in recent years.

There are guesthouses and farm stays on the way for the convenience of tourists. The reasonable prices and (warm) of the local people combine to give tourists unique experience. Along the banks of the Liantuo River, tourists can set up camp (them) in the parking area or by the river, listening to the breeze, stargazing at night, and enjoying the sunrise in the morning.

When I began my final semester abroad in England as an exchange student, I didn't expect that fast pace to5. I arrived in England jet-lagged and disoriented (晕头转向). Despite the6, I still reached for my to-do list to plan my tasks in the next long drive to the campus.

But the moment I stepped onto campus, something was different — yet,7, it felt familiar. The campus was calm and students led a8 and slow life. They paused to enjoy walks between classes and shared simple beautiful moments during meals — things I had long9. They enjoyed each moment — because they were fully10, not because it was extraordinary. It11 me of my childhood, when I had time to12 every possibility.

Their rhythm13 my soul, changing something in me. Among people valuing the14 as much as the destination, I began to rediscover beauty in the world and within myself. I learned that pursuing perfection doesn't mean15 ahead, but means being engaged to appreciate the journey while moving forward.

As high school students, you're standing at the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood in today's rapidly changing world. This guide aims to empower you with the tools to navigate this critical time effectively.

Start by reflecting on what truly interests you and where your strengths lie. It may be a passion for science, a talent for languages. or a talent in arts. Engage in activities like journaling or career exploration workshops to discover more about yourself.

Goals are the stepping stones to your future. Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals that will guide your actions and decisions. Both short-term goals, like improving your grades, and long-term aspirations, such as attending an ideal university, are crucial.

The traditional high school to university route is just one option. Consider job training, online courses, or even internships that might correspond better with your career goals. High school is the perfect time to explore these alternatives, helping you make informed decisions about your future.

Having a strong support system is invaluable. Seek out advisors, teachers, or even peers who can offer guidance and encouragement. These relationships can provide you with different perspectives and valuable advice. In this way, you will make wiser choices and also grow with the confidence to face difficulties.

You're well on your way to create a future that's bright and full of opportunities. Take the first step today and start shaping your tomorrow.

A. Your future is a canvas, and you're the artist.

B. Methods like writing them down can also be helpful.

C. You may feel confused when making choices for future.

D. It's about laying a strong foundation to support your dreams.

E. Matching your goals with these can lead to a more rewarding journey.

F. Remember, a good advisor listens, challenges, and respects your view

G. They provide motivation and direction, ensuring you stay on your path to success

This AI-powered brain implant is a milestone for neurotechnology (神经技术). Now, scientists from University of California have developed a streaming approach to restore speech for those with severe paralysis. This new technology addresses the issue of latency — delays between a person's attempt to speak and sound production — by using AI to almost instantly transform brain signals into speech, marking a significant breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI).

The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, marks a critical step toward enabling communication for speaking impaired individuals. "Our streaming approach makes it possible for the brain implant to obtain the rapid speech decoding capacity," says Gopala, Assistant Professor at University of California, Berkeley. The technology uses an algorithm (算法) similar to smart voice assistant to decode neural data and enable real-time voice streaming.

To train their algorithm, researchers had a subject, Ann who couldn't speak, look at tips on the screen — like "Hey, how are you?" — and then silently attempt to speak that sentence. This provided a mapping between neural activity and intended speech. AI used a pretrained text-to-speech model to reproduce her pre-injury voice.

With the new streaming approach, output can be generated in near real time as the subject attempts to speak, compared to an 8-second delay for a single sentence in the previous BCI studies. This greater speed did not come at the cost of precision. The faster interface delivered the same high level of accuracy as their previous, non-streaming approach. The device can continuously decode speech, allowing for uninterrupted conversation. This latest work lays the groundwork for future advances. The focus remains on building expressivity into output voice to reflect changes in tone or loudness during speech, for example, when someone is excited.

In the 1880s, the Don River was rerouted into the Keating Channel to create land for a new port. For over a century since then, it regularly flooded surrounding areas. Engineers solved this by carving a 1.3-kilometre riverbed reconnecting the waterway to Lake Ontario. The scale of effort to make the new river extension has been enormous: four-plus years of construction; roads lifted or moved and multiple bridges built; 1.4 million cubic metres of polluted soil treated and reused or replaced. Most remarkably, bioengineered "instant forests" were created using interlocking root systems and layered soils to create mature ecosystems.

"For me, the project is about reconnection," says Baker. "We're reconnecting the river to the lake, and in this process, reconnecting people." Perhaps the deepest reconnections are with local Indigenous communities, who settled in the area centuries before the city's creation. Waterfront Toronto engaged the MinoKamik Collective, an elder-led native environmental consultancy, to help design the planting strategy. "We put in wetland plants to help stabilize the riverbank and draw in animals," says Shelley Charles, leader of the native elders. "When we met on the land at the start of the project, there was nothing there. It was like an artist's canvas (画布). Now when you stand in the same place today, you're able to walk along the river. It's unbelievable."

Baker agrees and points out that people visiting the site today for the first time might not appreciate what's been done. "Because when you look at the river as well as the wetland now, it looks like it's always been there."

Abi managed to free her trusty Beetle from the festival carpark and headed for Barchester station. Sadly, there was no sign of Littlejohn, who decided to drive to his event but forgot to tell anyone.

After half an hour spent yawning on the platform, Abi. who had averaged five hours' sleep a night for the past week, drove back to the Green Room, only to find that the bottled water had run out, and that there were no sandwiches.

Curiously enough, how did Abi, a middle-aged woman with an English and Creative Writing degree from Leicester University, end up in the festival management? A love of literature is probably the worst qualification imaginable for the job, but Abi, who had previously worked in consumer PR (Public Relations) arranging in-store appearances, was well-equipped to handle such crises.

But the day wasn't over yet. The delivery from the bookstore chain was nowhere to be seen and Sukie was absolutely angry. She assigned to Abi the unenviable task of explaining to Littlejohn, now being interviewed in the "media room", why there were no books available for him to sign.

It was a tough job. Finally Mr. Littlejohn agreed to greet his audience with the assurance that they would get his book, Last Bus to Blackley, signed and delivered home afterwards.

In eight hours, it would all be over. The Green Room would be shut up; the volunteers would be dismissed home and Abi would drive off to her parents' house and await the reward and maybe, just maybe, Sukie would keep her promise of a similar engagement next month. For now, though, Abi had to keep herself cool and make sure the festival ended on a high note.

Looking for a fun and educational way to keep your child engaged this summer? Look no further than the Summer Day Camp held by Inside The Outdoors (ITO), where campers will learn about various aspects of nature through games and hands-on activities.

Camp Schedule

From July 4 to August 1, ITO will host four weekly summer camps at the Shipley Nature Center, each with their own theme for campers aged 6 to 12. Leadership opportunities will be available for campers aged 13 to 17.

Themes and Activities

With the theme of "Eco Explorers" this year, campers will gain a deeper insight into the importance of preserving nature. Each week is a new adventure, designed to awaken curiosity and create lifelong memories in the great outdoors.

· Naturalist Academy

In the first week, campers will be taught essential camping skills, including how to leave nature better than they found it.

· Crittertopia

In the second week, field naturalists will introduce campers to various animals, and end the week with the Animal Olympics.

· Hike Through the Galaxy

In the third week, campers will grasp some knowledge about the stars through space-themed games and crafts.

· Adventures in the Wild

In the fourth week, campers will learn how to navigate using maps, compasses and natural signs.

Registration Information

Registration is available online. For inquiries, email insidetheoutdoors@ocde.us.