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For centuries, artificial (人造的) light has been a sign of technological advance. Light has shaped human civilization. But while we enjoy its convenience, we often overlook the darker side of lighting: light pollution. It harms ecosystem, with serious results for wildlife, human health and energy use. A 2021 study found that caterpillar (毛毛虫) numbers were 52% lower in areas with street lights. The winter moth (蛾) is a small but important species. In early spring its caterpillars provide key food for blue tit chicks. But light pollution confuses the adult moths, breaks up mating and influences egg-laying, leading to fewer caterpillars. With falling caterpillar numbers, blue tits find it hard to feed their young.

In one sense, light pollution is quite easy to solve — we can simply not turn on the lights and allow the night to be lit naturally by moonlight. But in fact, this is mostly not possible as lights are meant to make humans' lives easier, so humans are often not willing to give them up. If we cannot turn off the lights, there are other management approaches we can take to lessen their harm. We can control their number, make them less strong, and shorten the time they are on.

However, it remains unclear how much artificial light influences invertebrates, and whether they can get used to changes in time. These changes probably influence their health and life, so more studies are needed to understand what difficulties artificial light brings to them. We need experts from different fields to work together to understand the wider influence of artificial light on wildlife biodiversity and ecosystem health, and to find proper solutions.

At just 19 years old, while studying mechanical engineering in college, Jessica and her classmates brainstormed a groundbreaking idea: a soccer ball that could produce electricity. The idea for this invention came during a family trip to the countryside of Nigeria, where she saw firsthand how families struggled without regular electricity. The Soccket Ball, a name combining "soccer" and "socket", looks like any other soccer ball, but it has a special feature. As you play with it, the ball captures the energy from being kicked and rolled. After a game, this energy can power small devices like LED lights. For many families without regular electricity, this invention can make a big difference.

Despite gaining strong support from global organizations and media attention, the product faced unexpected difficulties after its launch. Many users reported that the balls broke or stopped working within a few months, failing to live up to the promised three years of useful life. The problems led to criticism from users and negative headlines, putting pressure on Uncharted Play, the company Jessica founded. The team openly admitted that they hadn't expected the equipment to be so damaged by rough play in the country and promised to revise the design with stronger materials and improved internal parts.

Despite these setbacks, Jessica and her team at Uncharted Play continued to work on energy solutions. Their latest invention, a portable jump rope that generates electricity, builds on the Soccket's success with a more durable, lightweight design. Designed for both children and adults, the jump rope can power small devices like phones or flashlights, expanding the reach of their mission. Jessica's key goal remains unchanged: to provide clean renewable energy to people around the world, where electricity shortage limits education, health, and economic opportunities. Her journey proves that even simple, fun activities — like playing soccer or jumping rope — can be transformed into powerful tools to address pressing global affairs.

1. Get Sleepy: Hosted by Tom Jones with a soothing British accent, this podcast offers meditative sleep stories. You can mentally wander around a Bavarian castle or attend a 1920s London tea party. Each episode's description includes details about the sounds and atmosphere, so you can choose your favorite.

2. Boring Books for Bedtime: If you like reading before bed but worry about getting too engaged, this podcast is perfect. Host Sharon Handy reads chapters from dull yet interesting books, such as H. G. Wells' A Short History of the World or old car manuals.

3. Nothing Much Happens: Host Kathryn Nicolai, also a yoga and meditation teacher, creates a cozy atmosphere. Each episode starts with a breathing exercise, followed by a warm and uneventful bedtime story read twice, with the second time slower. The stories change with the seasons.

4. Goodnight, World!: This is a collaboration between Headspace and "Sesame Street". Although designed for kids, it can also help adults relax. Each 20-minute episode features beloved characters on adventures, and there are related mindfulness exercises in the Headspace app.

5. Phoebe Reads a Mystery: Phoebe Judge, known from the popular podcast Criminal, reads fictional crime stories chapter by chapter here. She covers classic works like Frankenstein and The Turn of the Screw.

Hope these podcasts become your sleep allies and bring you a restful night every time!

It didn't take me long to figure out that I wasn't invited to the party. I got off the bus and saw my friends huddled under the tree where we all stood every morning before the first bell. They hastily stuffed small white envelopes into backpacks. I knew that Bridget's party was this weekend, just two days away. Bridget was one of the popular ones. She was thin and wore clothes that looked like they came straight from the pages of magazines.

My stomach churned (翻腾) , and I hoped that Bridget was still holding an envelope with my name on it to be delivered later. But my friends' too-eager hellos told me that everyone already knew who was invited and who wasn't. "Hi," I responded, my head swimming with a sinking feeling that I wasn't worthy.

Thankfully, the bell rang and I hurried toward my English class. However, I couldn't concentrate in class. Why hadn't she invited me? Why did she invite every person in my group except me? I tried to think of any interactions I'd had with Bridget recently. A few days earlier, we'd been partners during a project. I was intent (专注的) on getting the project done and she was intent on looking at teen magazines. She barely spoke to me except to say, "You're so serious. You should smile more."

By the end of the second period, I had overheard all the details about the party. During the third period, Meredith, asked me if I was going to Bridget's party. Instead of saying no, I found myself repeating what I'd heard earlier, as if I were going, too. Meredith said, "I wish she'd invited me so I could tell her no. She's such a show-off." Where did Meredith get her confidence? I wondered. For a moment, I froze, suddenly aware that I didn't need to go either — even if I was invited. Why should I care, anyway?

After school, Becky found me in the bus lines, and whispered, "Bridget just told me she might invite you." Why "might"? So what if I don't go to the party. I'm still me whether I go or not. And it's just for one night. So what's the big deal? My thoughts were spinning.

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。

At that moment, I spotted Bridget heading toward my line.

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Back home, I was lost in thought, with the envelope in my hand.

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1.你的观点；

2.你的理由。

注意：

1.写作词数应为80个左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Dear Mr. Brown,

I'm Li Hua from Class 1, Senior 2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

The original Chinese dance drama Wing Chun, a perfect combination of martial arts and dance, made its North American debut (首次登台) in Toronto, Canada,the evening of Dec 16.The performance played to a full house and received thunderous applause.

Produced by the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre, Wing Chun features traditional Chinese culture(integrate) with contemporary artistry and is set for 20 performances in Toronto, concluding early in the new year. "I speak neither Cantonese Mandarin, but I understood it completely. It went beyond language, and the story itself is(extreme) engaging", Clyde Wagner, president and CEO of TO Live, expressed his admiration for the production,(add) that box office sales are continuing to grow. Luo Weidong, China's consul general in Toronto, noted in his opening remarks that "over the 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges(be) a vital link in bilateral (双边的) relations." He expressed hope the performance would allow Toronto audiences(experience) the essence of Chinese culture and inject new vitality into Canada's multicultural landscape.

arrival of Wing Chun was officially recognized in Toronto, Shenzhen's sister city for the past decade, with a special promotional event. This event highlighted the vibrant arts scene of both cities and their(commit) to promoting cultural dialogue on a global scale.

I5a plate of returned chicken, added buttered bread, and poured hot coffee. "It's already6. Coffee's on me," I said, placing it in front of him. The man7as he ate. Suddenly, Wayne Becker, my boss,8over, yelling at me, "We don't serve beggars here! You're9." I folded my apron and walked into the pouring rain,10aware that I had no job, and little money.

The next morning, a11surfaced on the Internet, showing the moment I12a veteran (退伍军人) . By afternoon, two hundred13 in full dress lined the street, waiting for me. A veteran nonprofit offered me a14 in the Ridgefield Community Kitchen.

Every small act matters. Sometimes, a simple gesture of15can bring an army to your door.

There's something magical about coming home to a pot of chicken stew bubbling away on the stove. The scent of tender chicken mixed with sweet carrots fills every corner of the house, instantly making everything feel right with the world. She'd toss (扔) together whatever vegetables she had on hand with some chicken pieces and create pure comfort in a bowl.

Chicken stew is a hearty, soul-warming dish where chicken pieces are slowly simmered along with vegetables until everything becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender. It's the kind of dish that makes you want to curl up with a big bowl, perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you need a warm hug in food form. Brown the chicken pieces to develop flavor, saute (炒煎) your aromatics (those onions and garlic), add flour to create a thick base, and then pour in the soup and wine. Toss in your vegetables, herbs, and potatoes. Let everything simmer until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the carrots and potatoes have absorbed all that savory goodness.

This recipe proves that the best meals don't have to be complicated. With just one pot, some humble ingredients, and a little patience, you can create something truly special that'll have everyone coming back for seconds. The beauty of this stew is its flexibility. Use different herbs, swap vegetables, or add a splash of cream at the end for extra richness. However you make it, I guarantee it'll become a regular rotation (轮换) in your meal plan.

Give this recipe a try this week, and let me know how it turns out! Do you have a family stew recipe? Drop it in the comments. Happy cooking, and may your kitchen always smell this good!

A. The process is straightforward.

B. There you have it — no-fail chicken stew.

C. I love hearing your cooking recipes and stories.

D. Stews have been feeding families for thousands of years.

E. This recipe had been passed down from my grandmother.

F. It reminds me of lazy Sunday afternoons at my grandmother's.

G. Make it exactly as written, or adapt it to what you have on hand.

First launched in 1998, the ISS is used for a wide array of experiments and has hosted nearly 300 astronauts from 26 different countries in an impressive display of international cooperation. However, after a quarter century in action, the ISS is wearing down. Life in orbit has subjected the station to a type of wear-and-tear beyond what any earthly object could handle. Not only that, but in a world where technological advancements are coming at a fast pace, the technology built into the ISS is becoming outdated.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its partner agencies debated multiple approaches to decommissioning (终止使用) the ISS. One early idea was to move the ISS to even higher orbit, but that would be very risky because, without consistent maintenance, the station could break down and leave behind parts that could rain down on Earth, causing serious destruction. They also considered taking apart the station in space and bringing it home piece by piece, but this process would be too expensive and complex. The only realistic end to the ISS is to bring the whole thing crashing down to Earth at once.

Fortunately, Earth's atmosphere will help to reduce the danger by incinerating a large part of the ISS as it goes downwards. This will happen because the speedy fall from space will create enough friction(摩擦) between the station and the surrounding air to start a fire. However, many parts of the ISS will survive this breakup, and those are expected to land in a point in the South Pacific Ocean called Point Nemo, which is considered the most remote location on Earth, a technological graveyard.

NASA has announced that it will not create the replacement for the ISS. Instead, a new order is set to be established, in which private companies operate space stations. China's Tiangong Space Station was launched in 2021, and it seems clear now that the future of space exploration lies in multiple stations, not one central hub like the ISS.

The term comes from psychologist Colin Cherry, who was trying to understand how we process sounds in noisy environments like, say, a cocktail party. Cherry's experiments were simple but creative. He played two different recordings of people talking (one in each ear) and asked participants to repeat back the message from just one side. This task, called "shadowing", revealed something remarkable: people could focus on one message almost perfectly, but they remembered almost nothing from the other. Note "almost nothing", by the way. The exception here was personally meaningful information. If their own name was spoken in the "ignored" ear, they noticed it!

The Cocktail Party Effect often gets misunderstood as proof that humans can multitask and that we can listen to multiple conversations at once. Spoiler (剧透): No, we can't. When you think you're listening to two people at once, you're actually bouncing back and forth between them, missing bits of each. Your brain, as wonderfully brilliant as it is, was designed for focus, not for chaos.

The Cocktail Party Effect might sound like a fun party trick, but it actually has real-world implications that reach far beyond the dinner table. In technology, it's the foundation for how voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant can pick out your command from a noisy room. And in relationships? It's a gentle reminder that "hearing" and "listening" are certainly not the same thing. Just because your ears are open doesn't mean your attention is.

So let's come back to that Thanksgiving table. The Cocktail Party Effect is what lets s you survive it by sifting through all the chaos so you can focus on one voice at a time.

The Girvan Tower is believed to be the tallest private residence in the country and was built for the late Peter Grey over six years in the 1990s. Andrea and Andrew Evans made a purchase for $779,204 USD, which was reportedly significantly less than the construction cost. The family now run Vast Harvest Permaculture. Permaculture is short for permanent (长久的) agriculture. Vast Harvest Permaculture is a completely self-sustainable (自我维持的) food forest across 400 acres.

The Vast Harvest Permaculture business is not new to tourism. The family offer paid tours to visitors, including guided walks and tastings through the "food forest" and a farm-to-table meal. They also run workshops that include building birdhouses, growing mushrooms, and learning the permaculture technique of building swales on contour. But they are ready to expand their offering by opening up a floor in their house to guests, building two additional tiny houses for accommodation, and starting horseback rides — with the goal of reaching more people to educate on self-sufficient living and healthy eating.

James, the 21-year-old son of the family, says it's not the 10-story house but their 24-mile food forest that deserves the attention. It has jack fruit, the largest tree fruit, and 15 different varieties of mangoes. "It's basically the Garden of Eden or Willy Wonka's chocolate factory because everything is edible (可食用的) that you see around you," he said, "It is designed to be a living garden that looks after itself."

James plans to one day take over the farm and business, and never leave. "I don't just want my kids here and my brother's kids here. I want my grandkids and great grandkids, all the kids to be here and build a future generation of sustainability," he said.