相关试卷

In the small town of Millfield, at Cedarwood Middle School, Jake, a lanky and soft-spoken boy with thick glasses, was an easy target for bullies. His passion for astronomy set him apart from his peers. Instead of playing football or video games, he spent his free time stargazing and reading books about galaxies and constellations. Every day at lunch, as Jake sat alone at a corner table, devouring a homemade sandwich and scribbling notes about the latest celestial event he'd read about, a group led by Mark, the school's self- proclaimed "cool kid," would pass by.

Mark, tall with a confident swagger, loved the attention he got from his friends. With a smile on his face, he'd lean over Jake's table and pick up his astronomy notebook. "What's this? More of your space nonsense?" he'd sneer, waving the notebook in the air. His friends would snicker, and Jake would blush, reaching out timidly to get his notebook back. "Leave me alone," Jake would mumble, his voice barely above a whisper. "Or what? You'll call your alien friends to attack me?" Mark would laugh, and the group would walk away, leaving Jake feeling humiliated.

Ms. Thompson, Jake's science teacher, noticed the situation but could only do so much to stop it during class. "Boys, be respectful," she'd say whenever she caught Mark teasing Jake. But once out of her sight, the bullying continued.

One day, the school announced a science fair with the theme "Innovation s for the Future." Students were encouraged to create projects that could change the world. Mark, seeing it as a chance to show off, immediately started planning a project with his friends. Jake, on the other hand, decided to combine his love for astronomy with his dream of making a difference. He began working on a model of a sustainable space colony, spending hours after school in the science lab, building and perfecting his creation.

When the day of the science fair arrived, students and parents crowded into the gymnasium to view the projects. Mark's group presented a flashy but rather simplistic model of a self- driving car. Jake, nervous but determined, set up his space colony model, complete with detailed explanations of how it would generate energy and recycle resources.

As the judges walked around to evaluate the projects, Mark and his friends watched with smug expressions, convinced they would win. But when the results were about to be announced, everyone held their breath in anticipation.

注意：

1．续写词数应为150左右；

2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Paragraph 1: The principal stepped onto the stage and cleared his throat. "And the winner of the science fair is..."

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Paragraph 2: That night, as Jake lay in bed, looking out at the stars, he heardknock on his front door.

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1．你设计的时间胶囊主题；

2．选择的物品及理由。

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。

Dear Ms. Green,

I'm excited to share my ideas for the Time Capsule Creation Competition.

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A freight train loaded with home appliances (depart) from Qingdao of East China's Shandong province on Tuesday morning, (push) the total number of China-Europe freight train trips past 110,000, according to China State Railway Group, operator of the service. The train, carried 55 containers filled with goods such as LCD displays and refrigerators (value) at nearly 20 million yuan ($2.75 million), is bound Moscow and expected to arrive in 17 days. this event marked a major milestone for China-Europe rail services was obvious. Since the services began in 2011, the cumulative value of goods transported via the China-Europe freight (exceed) $450 billion. the service is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, it underscores the high demand and resilience of the rail link. The rapidly (expand) China-Europe freight service network has become a crucial link in global supply chains.

As we gathered at the starting point on that sunny but breezy morning, we2 our bikes nervously, checking the gears and brakes one last time. "Are you sure you won't get annoyed if I3 a bit slower?" she asked, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and worry. She had only started4 on weekends a month ago. "Of course not," I reassured her with a smile.

When the starting horn5, Lily pedaled off steadily. At first, I stayed right beside her, chatting and enjoying the scenery. But as the road opened up and the wind seemed to push me forward, my competitive side took over. I gradually6 my speed, thinking she would catch up. After a few miles, I looked back, and Lily was no longer in my line of sight. I kept going, pushing myself harder, and crossed the finish line in a7 time of just under an hour. I felt a rush of pride, despite not having trained intensively.

Lily arrived at the finish line almost twenty minutes later, her face red and tired. She was clearly8, feeling that she had let me down. I couldn't believe she thought that way. I gave her a big hug and told her how proud I was of her for even finishing the race.

Determined to improve, Lily made a plan. She decided to cycle to work three times a week and9 to participate in more cycling events. I watched her10 early in the morning, even when it was foggy or drizzling. I saw her face strong headwinds and deal with flat tires on the11 country roads. There were times when she was12 by steep hills and wanted to give up, but she never did.

Finally, the day of the big regional cycling race came. This time, I made up my mind to stay with her. We pedaled side by side, encouraging each other. When we were about to reach the finish line, Lily found some extra strength and13 ahead. She crossed the line just a few seconds before me, her eyes shining with joy and14. She had not only overcome her own self - doubt but also achieved a goal she once thought was impossible. Her15 legs from hours of cycling didn't seem to bother her at all; all that mattered was the sense of accomplishment she felt.

The first crucial step is choosing the right location for your herb garden. Most herbs thrive in full sunlight, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, some herbs like mint and parsley can tolerate partial shade. Consider the amount of sunlight your chosen spot receives throughout the day. If you live in an area with strong winds, find a sheltered location or use windbreaks to protect your delicate herbs.

Select the herbs that suit your needs and growing conditions. Think about which herbs you use most frequently in your cooking. Basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano are popular choices for enhancing the flavor of Italian dishes. If you have limited space, opt for compact varieties or herbs that can be grown in containers. Also, take into account your local climate. Some herbs are more cold- hardy, while others prefer warmer temperatures.

Prepare the soil properly before planting. Herbs generally prefer well- drained soil that is rich in organic matter. You can improve the soil quality by adding compost, aged manure, or peat moss. This helps the roots of the herbs grow easily. Avoid using heavy, clay- like soil that can retain too much water and cause the roots to rot.

With the right planning and care, your DIY herb garden will not only provide you with a bountiful supply of fresh herbs but also become a delightful addition to your home.
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A. However, it's important to ensure good air circulation around the plants as well.

B. Lavender, on the other hand, is not only great for baking but also has a soothing aroma.

C. But achieving a successful herb garden requires careful planning and the right techniques.

D. Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of about 8-10 inches.

E. Determine the size of your garden based on the available space and the number of herbs you want to grow.

F. Also, consider the proximity to a water source, as regular watering is essential for herb growth.

G. Make sure to space the plants according to their mature size to prevent overcrowding.

These metrics are good at identifying influencers with a wide audience reach, but they struggle to distinguish between influencers who can drive actual sales and those who only generate surface-level engagement. For example, an influencer might have a high number of followers and a seemingly impressive engagement rate, but their audience may not be the right target for a particular brand's products. This means that a brand could invest heavily in an influencer campaign based on these metrics, only to see minimal return on investment.

This limitation may not be a major concern for brands that focus on increasing brand awareness in a broad sense. But for those aiming to achieve specific business goals, such as driving e-commerce sales or boosting product sign-ups, it can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities.

In their current form, these effectiveness metrics have several drawbacks. First, follower count can be inflated through fake followers or bots, creating a false impression of an influencer's reach. Engagement rates can also be misleading, as some influencers may use tactics like "like-for-like" exchanges or buy fake comments to artificially boost numbers. Moreover, the concept of reach doesn't consider the quality of the audience reached. A large reach among an uninterested or mismatched audience is of little value to a brand.

To address these issues and provide brands with a more accurate understanding of an influencer's true value, several solutions can be considered. One approach is to analyze an influencer's audience demographics in more detail. Brands should look beyond basic metrics and study factors such as the age, gender, location, interests, and purchasing behavior of an influencer's followers. By doing so, they can determine whether the influencer's audience aligns with their target market.

Another key measure is to track the actual conversion rates resulting from influencer campaigns. Instead of relying solely on engagement and reach, brands should monitor how many clicks, purchases, or sign-ups an influencer drives. This data provides a more direct indication of an influencer's ability to generate business results. Additionally, brands can conduct A/B testing, comparing the performance of different influencers or influencer strategies, to identify the most effective approaches.

While these effectiveness metrics alone can't ensure the success of influencer marketing campaigns, implementing these improvements can make the evaluation process more reliable. This, in turn, helps brands make more informed decisions, optimize their marketing budgets, and achieve better results from influencer partnerships.

This year, a series of events changed my relationship with fried chicken forever. I began experiencing frequent stomachaches and indigestion. Doctors couldn't directly link these problems to fried chicken, but I noticed that every time I ate it, my discomfort worsened. Additionally, I started to realize that the once- mouthwatering smell and taste now left a heavy, greasy feeling in my mouth that I couldn't ignore. One evening, after finishing a large bucket of fried chicken, I felt so sick that I couldn't sleep well all night. That was the turning point. I decided that enough was enough, after two decades of indulgence.

Why was it so hard to let go before? Is there really something addictive in fried chicken? While there's no official "fried chicken addiction" listed in medical books, experts point out factors that could contribute to its allure. Dr. Johnson from a nutrition research center mentions two main elements: the high-fat content and the combination of spices. The high-fat content triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, making us feel good, while the unique blend of spices stimulates our taste buds, making us want more.

Now, I'm on Day 35 of my "fried-chicken-free" journey. The first week was tough. I had strong cravings and even felt a bit down at times, almost like going through a mild withdrawal. But as the days passed, I started to feel better. My stomach problems became less frequent, and I even noticed that I had more energy. I'm really proud of myself for breaking this long-standing habit. If I can overcome my love for fried chicken, I believe I can overcome any other challenging habit in my life.

Why Mystic Valley

Nestled deep in the heart of nature, Mystic Valley is a hidden gem. Towering mountains embrace the valley, their peaks often veiled in a soft mist, creating a magical atmosphere. Crystal - clear streams meander through the landscape, their waters teeming with small fish and unique aquatic plants. The valley is carpeted with lush meadows, where wildflowers of every color bloom in profusion during spring and summer.

A dense, ancient forest covers a large part of the valley, home to a variety of rare animals, including the elusive Mystic Valley Deer and colorful songbirds. The air is filled with the fresh scent of pine and wild herbs, and the only sounds are the gentle murmur of the streams, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Mystic Valley offers a peaceful and rejuvenating experience. There are activities suitable for all, from gentle nature walks to more challenging mountain hikes.

What to Do

On your arrival day, our friendly staff will greet you at the nearest transportation hub and escort you to your accommodation. In the evening, unwind with a delicious welcome dinner, featuring local specialties prepared with fresh, organic ingredients.

On the second day, you have a choice of activities. In the morning, you can embark on a guided nature walk through the meadows, learning about the different plants and animals that call the valley home. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, you can start a moderate mountain hike, taking in the breathtaking views from the lower slopes. In the afternoon, relax by the stream, dipping your toes in the cool water, or try your hand at fishing. For those who prefer more active pursuits, there are open areas where you can play frisbee or have a picnic.

For guests staying for four days, on the third day, you can join a forest exploration tour. Led by experienced guides, you'll venture deep into the forest, discover hidden waterfalls, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Mystic Valley Deer. On the fourth day, you can choose to have a free day, either to further explore the areas that interested you the most or simply to relax at your accommodation and soak up the peaceful surroundings.

Accommodation choices

We have accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The Valley View Lodge s are situated on a slight elevation, offering panoramic views of the entire valley. These lodges are well- equipped with modern amenities, including comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and a cozy living area. They also have large windows and balconies, perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery.

For a more budget-friendly option, the Forest Cabins are nestled among the trees. Although more rustic, they are clean, comfortable, and provide an authentic experience of living close to nature. The cabins share communal bathrooms and a small kitchen area where you can prepare simple meals if you wish.

The individual price is as follows. (*A 30% discount is available for students and seniors.)

The prices cover your accommodation, three meals a day, and most guided activities. However, some specialized activities, such as horseback riding tours, may incur an additional fee.

If this enchanting retreat in Mystic Valley has sparked your interest, don't miss out Click here to book your dream vacation and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The senior year of high school was very busy for almost every student, and I was no exception. If I wasn't studying and worrying about my grades, I would take part in various after-class activities to make preparations for college.

Finally, as my senior year began to wind down, I got a part-time job at a café near my school. I had thought that the job would be easy and, for the most part, stress-free. I imagined myself pouring excellent coffee, making delicious cakes and becoming close friends with the regular customers.

What I hadn't counted on were the people with great orders that chose to use the drive-through window, or the women who felt that the coffee was much too creamy, or the men that wanted their iced coffee to be remade again and again until it reached a certain level of perfection. There were moments when I was annoyed with humans as a whole, simply because I couldn't seem to please anyone. Nevertheless, I kept at it.

On a rainy day, I spent my afternoon handing customers' orders and waiting as they slowly counted their pennies. I tried to smile as the customers complained about the rain, but it was difficult to smile as they sat in their temperature-controlled cars with the windows rolled up while I dealt with huge drops of water hanging from my visor (帽舌). On top of that, no one was tipping. Every time I looked into my nearly empty tip jar, I grew more frustrated.

Around four o'clock, one of my regular customers named Lucas came in looking depressed and defeated. My co-worker and I asked what the problem was and if we could help, but he wouldn't tell any details. He just said he felt like crawling (爬) into bed, pulling the sheets up over his head and staying there for a few years. I knew exactly how he felt.

Paragraph I:

I decided to do something to lighten his mood.

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Paragraph II:

Around seven o'clock the next evening, Lucas drove up to the window.

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内容包括：

1. 根据你的经验与推荐，可通过哪些途径了解中国的语言和文化；

注意：

1. 词数80左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，自圆其说，以使行文连贯。

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The powerful people-to-people bonds between China and Malaysia take many expressions considering the range of shared cultural and traditional values between the two nations.

The Malaysian people have taken great interest in the lion dance, a tradition that (emerge) over a thousand years ago in China and has many admirers in modern Malaysia.

Among them is Adzwin Puteri Faizal, young woman from Rawang in Selangor state, is a member of a troupe (剧团) under the locally renowned Yong Jun Lion Dance Association.

With smooth and (energy) movements, the 18-year-old Adzwin plays the role of the lion's tail and moves with her partner, using classic springs on poles, gracefully leaping and steadily balancing.

"When the master performed at our school for the first time, I was attracted. It looked so cool," she says. Having been part of the troupe for the past five years, Adzwin improved her skills and built up her experience in the art form along with her (teammate) comprising Malaysians of other ethnic groups (age) 10 to 18.

The lion dance in Malaysia shares its roots the Chinese lion dance, specifically from the southern lion dance style. It arrived in Malaysia with Chinese immigrants and took root.

Initially, the lion dance (perform) during Chinese festivals and celebrations, but with the blending of Malaysia's ethnicities and cultures, it gradually crossed ethnic and religious boundaries, (become) a beloved cultural activity for all communities. Its cultural value is (wide) recognized by the public.

One day, the class went on a trip to the forest. Koogimo, as usual, was left alone, observing the beauty of nature. The others, however, were3 with their games. Suddenly, their teacher realized they were lost.4 came over the children, except for Koogimo who was calm. Koogimo5 that they follow the stream, applying his knowledge from books. With the teacher's approval, they followed his lead, their6 in him growing. His classmates watched in awe (敬畏) as Koogimo7 them through the forest with confidence. They began to see him in a new8, appreciating his intelligence and courage.

Finally, they reached the edge of the forest. The children9, hugging Koogimo, their savior (救世主). From that day, they never took him for granted again. Koogimo was happy, not because he was the hero, but because he had been finally10 by his classmates. This journey had11 him from an outcast (被排斥的人) to a friend.

When Koogimo returned home, his parents were waiting for him. They had heard about his act and were12 of him. Their little boy had become a hero. Koogimo's parents hugged him tightly, their eyes filled with joy. They knew their son was intelligent and13, and now, everyone else knew it too.

The next day at school, things were different. Koogimo was no longer14 but admired. His classmates respected him and sought his company. Koogimo, with his courage and intelligence, had taught his classmates the true15 of friendship. He had not only become their hero, but also their friend.

Trees play an important role in improving the quality and health of our lives, our homes, and our planet. But that stillness is not synonymous (同义的) with laziness. Trees are rarely lazy. In fact, they are workhorses of the environment as the impact of their hard work carries miles farther than the ground in which they stand.

Globally, trees are the most scalable and cost-effective tool in the fight against climate change. Trees clean the air and absorb carbon dioxide. For example, ring-tailed lemurs (环尾狐猴) are considered one of the most endangered creatures on the planet. A big reason is that half of the forests they depend on in Madagascar off the East coast of Africa were cut down. Lemurs aren't alone when it comes to a dependency on trees.

Where there's a need, trees can help fill it. In some communities, trees are an important food source. In others, they're a symbol of resilience (恢复力) following a damaging tragedy. When planted near streams and rivers, they clean the water. That's right, when planted in the right place, a tree can help you bring down energy costs for your home.

So as springtime arrives once again, take a moment and appreciate all a tree can be.

A. Yet, it's still easy for us to ignore them.

B. Rooted to a single spot, they appear still.

C. They foster biodiversity and support critical habitats.

D. We know there's never been a more important time for trees.

E. And a bonus for homeowners: trees can even save your money.

F. Trees are home to 80% of all animals, plants, and insects that live on land.

G. Being around trees can improve a person's mental health and creativity.

"The average electricity consumption of ChatGPT service in early 2023 was 564 MWh per day, equal to the total daily electricity usage of 18,000 families in the United States," the researchers mentioned in a study. They have proposed a new algorithm (算法) that has the potential to reduce the amount of energy an AI machine requires to carry out computation (计算). "Reducing the amount of computation needed by neural networks is the key to reduce both energy consumption and inference speed for large-scale AI models," stated the BitEnergy AI researchers.

The new method, known as Linear-Complexity Multiplication (线性复杂度乘法) (L-Mul), optimizes the mathematical operations that run AI. For context, AI models rely heavily on complex calculations, particularly floating-point multiplications (浮点数乘法), which are essential for handling the vast amounts of data they process. These calculations, while precise, are very energy-intensive. According to the researchers, applying L-Mul to tensor (张量) processing hardware can significantly reduce energy costs associated with element-wise floating point tensor multiplications and dot products. L-Mul replaces the energy-intensive multiplications with simpler integer additions (整数加法). By breaking down the complex multiplications into more manageable steps, it significantly reduces the energy required for computations.

"Since multiplying floating point numbers requires substantially higher energy compared to integer addition operations, applying the L-Mul operation in tensor processing hardware can potentially reduce 95% energy cost by element-wise floating point tensor multiplications and 80% energy cost of dot products," highlighted the study.

L-Mul offers performance advantages. Integer additions are faster than floating-point multiplications, leading to quicker computations. Furthermore, the researchers suggest that L-Mul maintains the accuracy of AI models. L-Mul is highly in harmony with transformer-based models, the architecture behind popular AI systems like ChatGPT. These models rely on an "attention mechanism" to process and understand relationships within data.

However, the widespread adoption of L-Mul faces some barriers. Currently, the technique requires specialized hardware that is not yet readily available. BitEnergy AI is actively developing this hardware and creating programming interfaces to facilitate its integration into existing AI systems.

"To unlock the full potential of our proposed method, we will carry out the L-Mul and L-Matmul kernel algorithms on hardware level and develop programming APIs for high-level model design," the study concluded.

"We're basically running a giant experiment right now, in terms of what microplastics are doing to us," says Michael Burkart, a chemical biologist at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Most plastics have been made from crude oil, a fossil fuel. Four years ago, Burkart's team at UCSD developed a new type. They made it from building blocks that can be produced by algae (藻类). Now, they've shown that this plastic breaks down quickly when a particular species of bacteria dine on it.

The new plastic is a type of polyurethane (聚氨酯). It contains many chemical building blocks. Those building blocks are made from ingredients produced by plants and algae. Many types of microbes (微生物) break down plants and algae and eat those building blocks. The researchers suspected those microbes might do the same thing to the building blocks of the new plastic.

To test that, Burkart's team broke their new plastic into tiny particles. They did the same with a different type of plastic made from fossil fuels. It's known as ethyl vinyl acetate, or EVA. Then researchers mixed these microplastics with fresh compost (堆肥) — a moist mix of decomposed (被分解的) plants, food waste and microbes. After 90 days, 68 percent of the new plastic had broken down. That number climbed to 97 percent after about seven months. In contrast, the researchers saw no EVA breakdown throughout that time.

The scientists also coated a piece of cloth in the new plastic. After being mixed with the compost for two weeks, that cloth easily broke apart. Another piece of the coated cloth was not composted. It was still undamaged after two weeks.

"I'm so excited for this in the textiles (纺织品) industry," says Lisa Erdle, an ecotoxicologist (生态毒理学家) at 5 Gyres. "Polyurethane is sometimes used to coat natural fibers, like wool and cotton, for clothing. Over time, that plastic coating falls off, turning into smaller and smaller pieces and never going away. Having something that can easily be broken down by bacteria is better than having persistent plastics in the environment."

At around the same time, Bosch learned that her mother was struggling to find a good method for repairing 18th-century paintings in the church. Bosch said her mother, Pilar Roig, noted how difficult the restoration process was. One reason was the glue (胶水) used to attach paintings to walls in the 1960s. It was nearly impossible to remove the glue completely. "My mother had a very difficult problem to solve and I found a paper about bacteria used to clean frescoes (壁画) in Italy," Bosch said.

Bosch added she decided to write her doctoral paper on the same subject. That was more than ten years ago. Today, she gets to work with her mother on the church paintings' restoration. They are using the bacteria method to remove glue from artworks. The money of the $4.46 million project is given by local organizations. The process involves feeding small amounts of the glue — made from animal collagen (胶原) — to the bacteria. After a time, the bacteria begin to naturally produce enzymes (酶) to break down the glue. The mother-daughter team then mixes the bacteria with a natural algae-based substance, called a gel (凝胶), and places it onto the paintings. After about three hours, the gel mixture is removed, leaving the paintings glue-free.

Bosch's mother, now 75, noted that in the past, restorers of artworks had to use traditional cleaning methods that took hours and damaged the paintings. Bosch has also used her bacteria method process in other restoration projects in Italy and Spain.

Quizlet

This innovative app allows students to create personalized study sets that match with their unique learning needs and goals. By a range of interactive tools, such as flashcards, games, and practice quizzes, Quizlet provides students with an effective way to review and master key concepts across a wide range of subjects. One of the unique features of Quizlet is its cooperative learning function, which allows students to connect and cooperate with peers to improve their learning outcomes.

Duolingo

With its colorful and engaging interface (界面), Duolingo makes learning a new language fun and accessible. The app offers a range of interactive tools, including speaking and listening exercises, flashcards and quizzes, all designed to help users improve their language skills in a playful and interesting way. Additionally, Duolingo rewards users with cute cartoons and fun challenges as they progress, providing motivation along the way.

Forest

With its unique interface, Forest helps users stay on task and avoid the distractions of social media, games, and others. The app works by encouraging users to plant virtual trees, which grow and flourish as they focus on their work. If users leave the app to check their phone, the tree will fade and die. With its fun and playful approach, Forest can help high schoolers develop healthier habits and build better study routines.

Headspace

With its guided mindfulness exercises, Headspace helps users reduce stress, improve focus, and increase their sense of calm and balance. The app offers a range of strange features, such as themed meditation (冥思) sessions, breathing exercises and so on. Headspace also offers unique features, such as daily reminders, personalized progress tracking and even an SOS feature for those moments when you need a quick moment of calm.

（1）活动介绍；

（2）你的收获。

注意：

（1）写作词数应为80个左右；

（2）可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

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That morning, we hiked through an ancient forest,2 northwestwards. Leaping from one rock to the next, we gradually arrived at the destination. Directly ahead was a wall of rock. Tom3 over a gap to the rock face, climbed up a while, and found a good position where he could use holds to support the next climber. He4 the rope firmly between himself and Barney, yelling, "Climb!"

Barney looked to his left with a slight5, then he moved slowly and cautiously forward. I watched his moves carefully, so I could use the same6 he used. But I was7, wondering what was taking him so long. Finally, it was my turn. I stepped up to the gap edge, began to move to the cliff.8, when I glanced down, I was absolutely terrified. The cliff plunged (猛跌) straight down for what looked like a thousand feet. Then my legs began to shake. "Come on," they encouraged.9, I willed myself across the gap, struggling to10 the pull of the abyss (深渊) below. When I finally reached them, my mouth was as dry as a11.

Enjoying a good12 at the top of the mountain, I felt proud that I had13 my fear. Hard work will14 eventually. Those who have reached the peak will find15 that exists as long as life lasts.

When you need electricity, you just plug in the machine and switch it on. If you need water, you turn on the tap. For many people, these facilities are the basics of civilized society and the idea of living without them seems risky. Yet for a growing number of people, the idea of living off grid — without electricity, water or sewage (污水) — is an increasingly attractive lifestyle.

Off-gridders do not have to give up electricity or a modern lifestyle — some choose to, but most use small hydroelectric(水电的)power systems, solar panels or windmills to generate enough power for their needs. Heating and cooking needs are met by solar energy or wood burning systems, and toilet facilities range from non-water toilets to outside compost (堆肥)toilets. It ranges from traditional yurts (a type of tent) to luxury houses with high-speed internet and central heating. Whether they live in simple homes or luxury houses, what they all have in common is that their lifestyles do not create any pollution or carbon emissions — the ultimate goal for off-gridders.

Around 100,000 people are thought to be living off grid in the UK now. They grow their own food, home-school their children and provide their own medical care. They are people who have been priced out of the housing market or who have grown disillusioned with what modern society can offer and who decide that an alternative lifestyle isn't a pipe dream, but a viable (可行的) option.

Off-grid houses are far cheaper to build than ordinary homes since they don't need to be connected to the electricity or water supplies and even road access is not necessary. Materials tend to be cheaper, too. Popular options include straw or old tyres and cement.

Surprisingly, the biggest problem off-gridders face is not building their homes or becoming self-sufficient but getting permission to build. Rural areas away from town are the perfect choice but these are often protected by law from construction of any kind or have building restrictions. There are now several websites dedicated to land-sharing so that the costs of buying land and getting permission can be shared, and there are increasing numbers of off-grid communities. Off-gridding could soon be common all over Europe and America.

A. Many are self-sufficient, not just providing their own electricity, water and sewage systems, but in all aspects.

B. After you use the toilet, you flush it and the waste disappears.

C. This shift from individual to group off-gridding reflects the fact that the trend is growing noticeably.

D. Living off-grid still has a long way to go before it becomes a mainstream way of living.

E. Rather than building permanent homes, vans or mobile homes or even old shipping containers are other options.

F. They live in a huge variety of types of accommodation.

G. Apart from living an alternative lifestyle, cost is a big factor in choosing to live off-grid.