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Pete is one of the kids who, for nine and a half minutes each day, have to3 here to change buses. The station smelled strongly of gas, and the nearby land, once possibly a garden, now lay4 with trash — cans, wrappers, and chicken boxes. Most kids5 their time complaining, but Pete felt restless. He began to think: why not make these minutes6 for him and others.

One Monday, he arrived with bags and gloves. As he piled the7 into bags, his classmates teased: "Why8 yourself? It'll just get dirty again!" But Pete persisted. On the weekend, he dragged 12 bags to the landfill.

Next, he spent pocket money on tulips and lavender (薰衣草) seeds. Each day, he9 the soil and watered seedlings. Slowly, green shoots emerged. Teasing turned to awe when blossoms10 color to the cheerless corner. Kids began using trash bins; some even11 to help water.

One afternoon, an elderly man12 Pete. "I used to garden here decades ago." he said, handing Pete a watering can. "You've13 its soul."

Now, "Pete's Patch" thrives. What was once14 is now a symbol of community pride. Pete's story proves that small acts, if patiently nurtured, can grow into something15.

Hiking, a form of exercise older than exercise itself, is so hot right now. From2018 to 2021, the number of Americans hitting the trails increased from around 48 million to 59 million.

Hiking offers all the cardiovascular (心血管) benefits of walking. The uneven trails strengthen legs and muscles more effectively than walking on flat surfaces. This in turn improves balance and stability, making hiking a full-body workout.

. Spending time in nature and experiencing awe-inspiring landscapes can reduce stress and anxiety. A 2015 study found that people who walked in nature for 90 minutes were less likely to engage in depression — compared to those who walked in urban environments.

However, hiking does carry some risks. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it's important to take a few simple precautions. If you're a new hiker, go with a friend or join a local group. Remember: The point is to be able to see the views and smell the flowers.

In conclusion, hiking is more than just exercise. By following basic safety guidelines, hikers can ensure they return home safe and ready for their next adventure. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the trails offer something for everyone.
 

A. Lace up your boots and start exploring.

B. Hiking also promotes mental well-being.

C. But its advantages go further than heart health.

D. Push yourself harder and faster through challenging trails.

E. It's a well-rounded activity that benefits both the body and mind.

F. Always inform someone of your plans and check in with them afterward.

G. This growth reflects hiking's appeal as a way to stay active and connect with nature.

The more extreme concerns around AI involve what's known as the singularity. In his 2010 paper The Singularity: A Philosophical Analysis, the philosopher David Chalmers describes the singularity as follows: "What happens when machines become more intelligent than humans? One view is that this event will be followed by an explosion to ever-greater levels of intelligence, as each generation of machines creates more intelligent machines in turn. This intelligence explosion is now known as the ‘singularity'." The main worry is that, if such a singularity event were to occur, we'd no longer have authority over what happens in society.

While influential figures across AI research express real concern about the singularity, however, American philosopher Daniel Dennett doesn't buy it. As-he puts it, "I am not worried about humanity creating a race of super-intelligent agents, but that does not mean I am not worried. I see other, less dramatic, but much more likely, scenarios in the immediate future that are cause for concern." He argues that smart technology presents us with more practical threats that have a far higher likelihood of occurring. As Dennett clarifies: "The real danger is not that machines more intelligent than we are will usurp (篡夺) our role as captains of our destinies, but that we will overestimate the comprehension of our latest thinking tools, easily ceding (让渡) authority to them far beyond their competence."

Take transport. It's not just aviation and shipping industries that depend on GPS for safe and efficient navigation: how many individuals now turn to their smartphones instead of using a road map? As Dennett summarizes: "Use it or lose it is the rule of thumb cited at this point... how concerned should we be that we are dumbing ourselves down by our growing reliance on intelligent machines?"

Aging is complex, and associated with growing risks of diseases of all kinds. Snyder and his colleagues have been investigating the biology of aging to better understand what changes occur and how, in order to better ease and treat these diseases. To this end, they have been tracking a group of 108 adults, with ages spanning from 25 to 70, who have been donating biological samples every few months over several years. They noticed that in some conditions, such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease, risk doesn't rise gradually with time; it increases sharply after a certain age.

To see if they could identify related changes, the researchers decided to take a closer look at the biomarkers of aging. Each participant submitted an average of 47 samples over 626 days, with the longest-serving participant submitting 367 samples. This wealth of data resulted in more than 246 billion data points, which the researchers then processed, looking for patterns in the changes. Snyder and his colleagues noticed that around 81 percent of all the molecules they studied showed changes at two distinct stages. Changes peaked in the mid-40s, and again in the early 60s, with slight differences.

Despite their findings, the researchers note that their sample size is pretty small, and they tested limited biological samples. Future research could help dig further into this phenomenon, studying it in more detail, across a wider range of subjects, to better understand how the human body changes over time.

Aboard the Fish 1, a slight figure whose face is wrinkled from years in the sun and saltwater, looked from one to the other. Ocean scientist Douglas McCauley wanted to see whether the near real-time detection system he and his colleagues had developed, Whale Safe, could prevent crashes between whales and ships in the Santa Barbara Channel. By collecting data from several sources, Whale Safe forecasts to ships the chances of meeting a whale and then grades shipping companies on whether they actually slow down during whale migrations.

"We can literally watch all of the ships in California and across the whole ocean; we are better positioned than ever before to try to track damage before it occurs," McCauley said, "We are in trouble if we don't do something different, and I realized that if I kept sticking my head literally underwater or stayed in the lab, these problems weren't going to fix themselves."

Humans have worked in the seas for centuries. But as development has intensified and the planet has warmed, the 43-year-old McCauley has dared to brave the gray area between scientific research and advocacy to try to fix these problems — or at least make them visible.

"One of Doug's notable qualities as a scientist is that he is keen to explore outside the box," said Benjamin Halpern, a professor of marine biology and ocean conservation who has worked with McCauley for about a decade. "He is a very creative thinker, and able to think differently about the solutions to problems and what kinds of research and science can help inform those."

Anti-Atlas Mountains

Extending from the Atlantic coast to the edge of the Sahara and with a huge variety of terrain, the Anti-Atlas Mountains cater for even the most indecisive traveller. Above all, Anti-Atlas is agadir country (the word means wall). The landscape is dotted with these remarkable walls. Built from stone and clay, they were typically set on hilltops or cliffs to provide protection from attack.

The Mediterranean coast

Unlike Morocco's Atlantic coast, the country's Mediterranean coastline is a less well-known destination. Of all the beaches in this area, Plage Ihttpyen is the best. Hidden from view behind two enormous red cliffs east of Port Sidi Hsain, and accessible only by a steep rocky path, it's an incredible peaceful and picturesque spot, with crystalline waves lapping against the pebble shore and curious rock formations rising from the waves.

Agadir

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Agadir quickly became a booming trading post, growing rich on the profits of sugar and spices. In 1960, an earthquake destroyed most of the city and paved the way for its rebirth as a tourist resort. This is the place if you're seeking sun, sand and surf; the coastline around Agadir is the heartland of Morocco's surf scene and you don't have to look far to discover quieter surfing beaches.

Merzouga

Located at the edge of the Sahara's shifting sands, Merzouga has become one of the main desert centers for travellers. The drive there involves a dramatic journey over high mountains and remote river valleys, a panoraman (全景) outshone only by the view at the end of the road: the soaring dunes of Erg Chebbi stand in magnificence on the horizon. Climb to the top of the 150-metre-high dunes after the winter rains and you can gaze down on to Merzouga Lake, a watering hole frequented by a colony of flamingos (火烈鸟) and occasional camel herders.

Mrs Parks finished one of her lessons, and although she had not performed any physical activity, she was out of breath. A sudden burning stomachache started, but she hoped her students wouldn't notice.

"You look pale, Mrs Parks. Are you all right?" a kid, Tony, asked. Mrs Parks started nodding, trying to explain everything was all right. But the words wouldn't come out. She became unconscious and fell down in front of her class, and there were red and blue lights, many adults, and the sounds of children crying.

"Will she be OK?" Mrs Parks heard a high voice but couldn't recognize who had said it. "Everything will be fine," she whispered, but an ambulance worker quieted her and put an oxygen mask on her.

"Tony, please. We'll see what we can do for Mrs Parks. All of you have to go back to class and listen to whatever Ms Hanson tells you," Mr Roberts, the headmaster, tried to demand Mrs Parks' students leave his office, but they wouldn't move. Tony and Hannah were at the front of the pack. They were told she needed surgery, and hospitals cost money.

"We need to raise money. Please help us, Mr Roberts," Hannah said, and all the kids nodded. "Kids, let's go back to the classroom and brainstorm together about helping Mrs Parks," Ms Hanson guided them back to the classroom. Ms Hanson instructed them to write special messages to her.

"A card is not enough to save Mrs Parks. She has to come back. She's the best teacher ever. We need a grown-up to help." Tony told his classmates during the break. All the kids were thinking hard, and suddenly, Asher spoke up, "My big sister is a senior in high school. Well, I think she can make a link on a website or something. Then we can raise the money we need and help Mrs Parks!"

All the classmates agreed and went home to tell their older brothers or sisters about this idea. Asher's big sister, Dianne, started an online group, and she made an Internet link immediately with her parents' approval.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The link and the group were shared throughout the community quickly.

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Mrs Parks was back at school two months later.

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. Here are a few of the less-obvious reasons a smaller school might be a good fit:

1. The professors actually do the teaching. Most small colleges only teach undergraduate degrees., and more importantly, graduate students won't be teaching any of your classes.

2. More focused and direct feedback (反馈). You've heard the expression "You're just a number." Think about the homework and tests that need to be graded in a class with 450 students. . But at small schools, class sizes are smaller, and professors will have more time to read a student's work.

3. Research chances. Students at small schools are able to develop relationships with professors more easily, since there is a smaller number of students. .

4. Less red tape. It's just easier to get things done at a small school. , and there are fewer regulations. One of the biggest frustrations (令人沮丧的事物) at large schools is that important classes become full quickly, forcing students to either take them over the summer or stay an extra term.

A. Small colleges may offer more sports activities

B. Professors and administrators have more flexibility

C. That means there aren't graduate students on campus

D. The size of a school really can change your experience

E. It's great to see students make a 180-degree turn after they visit some small colleges

F. Teachers there don't have much time to offer advice on every student's piece of work

G. Most professors know their students' names and count on them to take part in their research

"Water is efficiently captured by the web. The spider doesn't need to go to the river to drink, as it traps moisture (水分) from the air," Dr. Tam said. This revelation led to the exploration of how such natural phenomena could be replicated (复制) to address the global challenge of fresh water scarcity.

Furthermore, the Namib Desert beetle showcases another masterclass in nature's engineering. Despite living in one of the dry environments on the Earth, these beetles manage to obtain water from thin air. A textured body surface that captures water droplets from fog when they face into the wind. The collected moisture then accumulates and drips right into their mouths.

Tapping into the lessons offered by these natural wonders, Dr. Tam and his team are working one particularly promising technology termed "atmospheric water harvesting." To replicate the beetle's water-gathering method, Tam's team is developing a special surface that attracts small water droplets and quickly releases bigger ones.

But that's not all. Dr Tam's commitment to sustainability shines through in his choice of materials. Using zero-carbon materials, like plant-based substances, his team has developed an energy-efficient surface that captures atmospheric moisture.

The team's innovations don't stop there. Drawing inspiration from unique mushroom structures, they've designed smart structural systems for solar evaporation(蒸发). These systems effectively use solar energy, absorbing water and transforming it into fresh, collectible steam.

The potential impact of these fresh water generation systems is enormous. Not only are they cost-effective and energy-efficient, but they also represent the essence of environmental friendliness.

In a world increasingly bothered by water scarcity, the work of Dr. Tam and his team offers a ray of hope. By looking to nature's wonderful solutions, we're reminded that sometimes, the answers to our most pressing challenges have been right in front of us all along.

Traditional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to study carefully the slight atmospheric changes that come before these storms. In most nations, for example, weather-balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at places separated by hundreds of miles. With such limited data, traditional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large areas than they do forecasting specific local events.

Until recently, the observation intensive method needed for exact, very short-range forecasts, or "Nowcasts," was not possible. The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties concerned in rapidly collecting and processing the weather data from such a network were hard to overcome.

Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems. Radar systems and satellites are all able to make detailed, nearly continuous observation over large areas at a lower cost. Communications satellites can send out data around the world cheaply and immediately, and modern computers can quickly collect and analyze this large amount of weather information.

Meteorologists(气象学者) and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment able to change weather data into words and graphic displays that forecasters can understand easily and quickly. As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.