相关试卷

1. 时间和地点；

2. 活动内容；

3. 活动意义。

注意：

1. 词数80左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Getting Close to Artificial Intelligence

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Recently, researchers in China have found a new way to turn soil fertile, making possible for humans to develop agriculture on the moon. In September, special bacteria (introduce) into the soil and consequently they discovered that phosphorus, an important nutrient for plants, increased.

By the end of October 2024, the researchers had conducted numerous (experiment) and finally they made it. They grew a plant linked with the tobacco plant and used volcanic soil from the Changbai Mountains in Jilin province, is similar to lunar soil. They treated the moon-like soil with three different kinds of bacteria. By (compare), the plants raised in the bacteria-treated soil grew (well) than plants that grew in the soil without the bacteria.

Xia Yitong, co-author of the study, said carrying food, oxygen and water to people on the moon would be (incredible) expensive. He added, "A plant cultivation system on the moon will meet long-term food and oxygen requirements for humans, thus contributing the human life on the moon. Other plans to grow food on the moon that do not need soil are more costly as they require materials (transport) from Earth."

One morning, he stopped to1 the dog of a beggar outside a convenience store. "I'd seen this guy before and2 him. Regrettably, I just walked by him," Salk said. "3, that day, I just broke the4 because I noticed his dog had serious skin condition." He diagnosed and treated the dog's condition, and the animal was5. But for Salk, the man's6 was the real wake-up call: "Thank you for not ignoring me" were the words that7 his next chapter.

Soon after, Salk began to do more,8 small drop-in clinics to provide medical care for pets whose owners couldn't afford it and walking the streets looking for9 individuals whose pets needed help. Right away, he was10 by how much the unhoused owners cared for their beloved pets.

He also found many pet owners wanted to11 stories about their dogs with others. With their12, Salk's brother, Ian, began13 some of the work and personal stories to raise awareness about animal welfare.

His brother encouraged him to14 the news online and soon more like-minded volunteers jumped on board. Since he started, Salk and his team have offered15 to thousands of animals.

You cannot evaluate an argument that you do not understand. You may need to ask questions to clarify the person's claims and ask them to explain key terms, especially words with multiple meanings.

Once you understand what the person is saying, then you can consider whether it's true. You can figure this out by considering the source of the facts and whether the facts line up with what you already know about the topic. For a conflict, discover whether your understanding is incorrect or the new statement is wrong.

Critical thinking also involves examining people's motivations and assumptions. For example, a salesman will present facts that are selected to convince you to buy what he is selling. It's necessary that you recognize these factors to predict when someone else's statements might not be accurate or complete.

Poking holes in other people's arguments can be necessary, but you must acknowledge the possibility that your own beliefs sometimes can be wrong. By critically examining both your own and others' opinions, you can understand the way the world works and make decisions in light of the truth.

A. Analysing information requires critical thinking.

B. And he will leave out facts that don't help him reach that goal.

C. Thus, the first step to critical thinking must always be listening.

D. Because it's possible to draw incorrect conclusions from correct facts.

E. So learning about the common arguments and your own beliefs can help.

F. The most important question is whether the facts they state are actually true.

G. Critical thinking requires examining your own ideas and assumptions as well.

This decline is partly caused by the increasing commercialization of higher education, which values degrees based on job prospects and starting salaries. With dramatically increasing graduates owing over £100,000 in student loans, it is understandable that young people from lower-income backgrounds might think twice about taking a non-vocational (非职业类的) course. Applications for English studies have fallen steadily since 2012, when the tuition fees rose to £9,000.

Meanwhile, supposedly "dead end" university courses-those which fail to deliver an instant graduate reward in the job market are coming under increasingly aggressive inspection. This year, the Office for Students set out plans to remove funding for "low quality" courses, defined as those where less than 60% of participants go into good jobs or further study soon after graduating.

The overall approach is both wrong-headed and shortsighted. As Mr Graham points out, the arts and entertainment industry has become one of the few booming areas of the economy in which Britain can claim to be world-leading. Additionally, judging the worth of a course solely by labor market outcomes ignores other important values, such as personal growth and cultural contribution.

After a decade of marketisation, a seriously practical worldview is beginning to sweep over England's higher education sector. But the inner quality and worth of a course cannot be fairly judged by reference to employment statistics and labour market outcomes. Sheffield Hallam's decision must be a wake-up call for those concerned to preserve the future of the arts and humanities in our universities.

Our bodies release cortisol when we encounter a challenge, whether psychological or physical, real or imagined. Things like coming across a bear on a hike, receiving an annoying work email or delivering a public speech are the typical cases. Cortisol aids in energy supply and metabolism (新陈代谢) control. Its levels vary, peaking in the morning and reducing by night.

However, long-term stress can disturb this balance, leading to sustained high cortisol levels. Potential disadvantages are weakened immune (免疫的) system and high blood sugar, as well as mental illnesses like depression and PTSD. In extreme cases, too much cortisol production may lead to Cushing's syndrome, characterized by serious physical changes and requiring medical treatment.

Identifying cortisol-related issues requires professional evaluation, as self-assessment or at-home testing may not provide accurate results due to cortisol's dynamic nature. Experts suggest consulting healthcare professionals for a thorough check. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution for managing cortisol levels, research indicates that practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and moderate exercise can aid in regulating the body's stress response. These activities not only help in reducing stress but also in training the body to manage its stress response more effectively over time.

In conclusion, cortisol plays a key role in how our body handles stress and functions overall. However, saying that many health problems are just due to cortisol imbalances misses the complex interaction between hormones, stress and health. It's important to take aholistic approach to health, with professional guidance and personalized stress management strategies.

So one admirably organized mom, Rachael Hallett, from Australia, has shared her simple but highly effective solution to having to prepare their lunchboxes. Her tip recommends mass cooking, just like you might do with dinners. "School lunches can get boring," she admits. "You can cook a lot and freeze many items in advance. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, wraps and so on. These all freeze well." But she points out that any fillings that are water-based, like cucumber or tomato, should be avoided in case the bread or wraps become wet.

And Rachael, who has two primary school age children, doesn't stop there with the preparation. She also makes the decisions easily over what to give her children daily by drawing up a list of different foods to put in the boxes. She prefers lunchboxes with different parts that won't leak and each section is used for various items such as fruit or snacks. The wise mom sometimes even sends her kids into school with a food thermos for warm lunches. "You can really send almost anything," she shares.

But even Rachael has days when she just doesn't have the time or energy to make a meal for her little ones and she says on these occasions school dinners are definitely a suitable alternative. "Plan some money for a lunch order on your hardest weekdays. Usually school dinners aren't too expensive and taste good," she says.

Rachael is a co-founder of the hugely popular Facebook group Moms Who, which has over a million members. Lots of other members of the group thanked Rachael for sharing her tips which they intended to put to use in their routines.

If you're looking for ways to give back to your community, here are some volunteer opportunities available in your area this month.

Food Bank Helper

Local food banks are in urgent need of volunteers to help sort and distribute food to families in need. This role includes organizing food items, packing boxes, and handing out the packages to recipients. Volunteers are required from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Community Care Center

Location: 45 Maple Street

Contact: 123-456-7890

Animal Shelter Assistant

Are you an animal lover? The city animal shelter is seeking volunteers to assist with daily care for the animals, including feeding, cleaning, and exercising dogs and cats. No experience is required, but volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Shifts are flexible

Location: 78 Riverbank Road

Contact: 987-654-3210

Senior Center Activity Leader

Brighten the day of local seniors by running activities like bingo, art projects, or music sessions at the Senior Center. Volunteers will need to prepare simple materials and guide small groups of seniors during activities. This is a rewarding way to connect with the elderly and gain valuable community service experience.

Location: 123 Sunflower Lane

Contact: 555-112-2334

Park Clean-up Crew

Help keep our parks beautiful! Volunteers will clean up trash, plant trees, and perform simple maintenance tasks in various parks around the city. Anyone can join the weekend clean-up events. All equipment will be provided.

Location: Sign up at www.cleanparks.org

Contact: 777-333-8888

Looking to get involved? Contact the organizations above for more details or to sign up for a role that fits your schedule and interests. Make a difference in your community today!

London's food scene has witnessed an inrush not only of traditional Cantonese (广东的) restaurants but also a diverse range of regional Chinese cuisines. For decades, London's Chinatown has been closely associated with classic dishes (root) in Guangdong province, while London's Chinese food has expanded far beyond that, reflecting a much (broad) cultural shift.

While Cantonese-centric offerings have laid the foundation of familiarity with Chinese culinary (烹饪的) culture, the increasing variety makes it big challenge for restaurants to meet local British tastes. To adapt to the trend, they manage to introduce new dishes and enhance existing ones (continuous) for bettering the menu. Additionally, larger culinary schools commit to teaching authentic (地道的) Chinese cooking, (strengthen) greater appreciation and mastery of the cuisine.

Hotpot, a typical Chinese dish, has taken centre stage in London, described as an "adventure" locals could enjoy genuine Sichuan cuisine and unfamiliar cultural experiences. Meanwhile, hearty hand-pulled noodles of Xi'an are also making waves, driven by the growing (present) of Chinese customers and Londoners' appetite for authentic regional flavors.

Chen Xin, the chief organizer of the 2024 London Chinese Cuisine International Development Convention, (emphasize) that London was becoming a true global centre of Chinese cuisine, staying true one single mission — providing Chinese customers with a taste of home and showcasing the depth of Chinese culinary culture to international(diner).

It began with a simple message from my friends, "Why don't we1 the road this weekend?" With only a rough idea of our route for mountains and lakes, we2 into my car and set off into the clear night. Driving under a blanket of3 felt liberating; it was as if all our worries4 . The laughter echoed (回荡) in the car as we shared funny stories in our lives.

As5 broke over the horizon (地平线), so did our first6 : getting lost! A wrong turn led us deep into winding country roads far from where we intended to be.7 frustrated, we quickly turned it into an opportunity for exploration instead of seeing it as a8 . We came across little towns we'd never heard of before — each with its own charm and character. Finally arriving at our9 destination — an extremely attractive national park — we were greeted by breathtaking views of towering mountains10 on glassy lakes. The11 was undoubtedly our hike up Pine Ridge Trail, which challenged us physically but12 us with views that took our breath away.

This adventure13 not only as an escape from daily pressures but also a chance to accept uncertainty rather than14 it: sometimes getting lost opens doors that you didn't even know15 !

Despite being more digitally connected than ever, we are lonelier and more anxious. Anxiety rates increased by 25% globally. Depression now affects over 280 million people worldwide. All of this is due to our growing dependence on social media and smart technologies designed to offer quick relief but often at the expense of deep, meaningful engagement, which may further cause our loss of something easy to be ignored.

While these conveniences offer short-term relief, they may weaken our thinking skills. For example, GPS has undeniably transformed how we travel. But a 2020 study found that frequent GPS users struggle more with self-guided navigation. Over time, those who depended more on GPS showed a sharp decline in spacial memory and problem-solving skills. However, reducing dependence on these conveniences can lead to discomfort. In seeking comfort today, we might be trading away some discomfort.

That is the problem: the very discomfort we avoid is often what strengthens us. Viewing stress, a kind of discomfort, as a challenge rather than a threat leads to better outcomes. Research shows that mild stress can enhance adaptability. Neuroscience（神经科学） reveals that neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections—is enhanced through challenging experiences. This adaptability is crucial for developing resilience, （抗逆力）, a process fueled by both mental challenges and active effort.

But this doesn't mean we should reject comfort entirely; it's to balance it with intentional discomfort. Think of it as "microdosing hardship"—a series of small, manageable difficulties that keep our mental and emotional muscles strong, such as writing with a pen, or washing dishes by hand. These small acts are enough to reawaken the resilience we've buried under layers of ease. So, the next time you feel the pull of ease, pause. Ask yourself: Is this momentary comfort helping me grow or is it keeping me stuck? Choosing discomfort isn't easy, but sometimes, it's worth it.

The answer is YES. Communication is more than words. It's how those words are said, the tone, the order, even the choice of a particular word. It's multi-dimensional, as explored by Deirdre Wilson and Dan Sperber in Meaning and Relevance. Consider the following example: Peter got angry and Mary left; Mary left and Peter got angry. Though identical in words, their meanings differ completely. The first one may have us thinking: Wow, Peter must get angry often if Mary leaves. The second sentence suggests that Peter wants more from Mary. Same words — a totally different context.

Human language is not a code (编码). True codes have a one-to-one relationship with meaning. One sound, one definition. This is what we see with animals. Wilson and Sperber explain that "coded communication works best when emitter (发出者) and receiver share exactly the same code. " Not so for humans. We communicate more than the definitions of our words would suggest. This is inferential communication, and it means that we understand not only the words spoken, but the context in which they are spoken. .

Irony (反语) is a great example of how powerfully we can communicate context with a few simple words. It is more than just stating the opposite. For example, when Mary says, after a boring party, "That was fun", she is neither saying literally that the party was fun nor saying "ironically" that the party was boring. Rather, she is expressing an emotion. Three words replace paragraphs, showcasing language's efficiency.

Wilson and Sperber concluded that human language developed and became so powerful because of two unique abilities of humans: language and the power to try to interpret mental states of others. We look for context for the words we hear. And we should be very good at absorbing this context to infer meaning.

SPECIFIC TOPICS

·Analysis and conservation of heritage assets (资产): novel methods for studying the composition, dating, origin and new materials for the preservation of objects.

·Conservation of built heritage: analysis of historical materials and construction techniques; novel inspection, testing and monitoring techniques.

·Interaction between heritage items and the environment: the impact of climate change and risk assessment of cultural heritage.

·Digital technologies for knowledge, conservation and restoration: data analysis and modelling, long-term preservation of heritage assets.

·Museum conservation: technologies for the management and improvement of museum collections.

REQUIREMENTS

The articles must be of great interest for a wide audience. Thus, it is announced that the number of articles dealing with case studies will be reduced in order to favor original articles. Reports on restoration activities should present a specific technical or scientific innovation.

BENEFITS TO AUTHORS

We provide several author benefits after acceptance, such as free PDFs, a broad copyright policy and special earnings as follows.

Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require further information or help, please visit our Support Center.

In secondary school, art was my favourite subject. Since I loved it so much I thought I was good at it. For the art O-level exam I had to present an oil painting. I found it difficult, but still hoped to pass. I failed, with a low grade. I'd been over-confident. Now I'd been declared talentless.

But other channels of creativity stayed open: I went on writing poems and stories. Still, I went to exhibitions often. I continued my habitual drawing, which I now characterised as childish doodling (乱画). In my 30s, I made painter friends and learned new ways of looking at art. However, I couldn't let myself have a go at actually doing it. Though these new friends were abstract painters using oil paints, or were printmakers or sculptors, I took oil painting as the taboo (禁忌) high form I wasn't allowed to practice.

        One night, in my early 40s, I dreamed that a big woman in red approached me, handed me a bag of paints, and told me to start painting. The dream felt so authoritative that it shook me. It was a form of energy, giving me back something I'd lost. Accordingly, I started by experimenting with water colours. Finally, I bought some oil paints.

Although I have enjoyed breaking my decades-long taboo about working with oil paints, I have discovered I now prefer chalks and ink. I let my line drawings turn into cartoons I send to friends. It all feels free and easy. Un-anxious. This time around, I can accept my limitations but keep going.

Becoming a successful painter calls for being resolute. I realised I was always afraid of wanting too much. That dream reminded me that those fears and desires could encourage me to take risks and make experiments.

That's because there are five times as many pigs and cows in Denmark as there are people. Nearly two-thirds of its land is taken up by farming. And agriculture is becoming its largest share of climate pollution, putting lawmakers under intense public pressure to reduce it. So now, Denmark's government, has agreed to tax the methane emissions (甲烷排放) released by farm animals. The measure was passed this month, making it the only such climate tax on farm animals in the world.

"I think it's good," said Rasmus, a 31-year-old citizen who was shopping for dinner in Copenhagen. "It's a gentle push to encourage plant-based diets, perhaps fewer pork choices."

The tax is part of a larger package designed to clean up the country's agricultural pollution and eventually restore some farmland to its natural form, like peat lands (泥炭地), which are exceptionally good at trapping planet-heating gases underground but were emptied decades ago.

Denmark's effort is also a wake-up call for many agricultural nations, including the United States, as they face the same calls to reduce pollution from farms.

Globally, the food system accounts for a fourth of greenhouse gases, and reducing those emissions requires making tough choices on diets, jobs and industries. That makes food a particularly challenging climate problem to address. No wonder that efforts to reduce agriculture's climate emissions have faced strong resistance, from Brussels to Delhi to Wellington, where the New Zealand government proposed a burp tax in 2022 only to have a later government overturn it. Even Denmark's measure faced heated political debates and has been under negotiation for years. The measure was finally passed in November. Starting in 2030, it will charge farmers 300 Danish kroner (around $43) for every ton of carbon dioxide. By 2035, the tax will more than double to 750 kroner (S106).

A bigger, more difficult dilemma still looms: Will Denmark continue to tum over so much of its land to cows and pigs?

A study in Nature suggests that while destroying digital aliens might seem unrelated to distinguishing between words, such action video games may help children at risk for developmental dyslexia—a genetic (遗传的, 基因的) language disorder that makes processing words difficult—by improving their ability to perceive spoken words and sounds.

In the study, 79 prereading children with family histories of dyslexia took several language tests, including listening for differences in made-up words—a task that can be challenging for dyslexic people. The kids were then split into four groups. One played Space Invaders Extreme 2, a second played a non-action video game, a third attended speech therapy (疗法), and a fourth received no intervention. Gamers played four times a week for 45 minutes each over a month and a half, and those in speech therapy attended 45-minute sessions twice weekly over about four months.

By the end of the trial more than 80 percent of the Space Invaders players were significantly better at the word-identification task than before, and they showed greater improvements than any of the other three groups. The researchers aren't sure why scores on the other language tests did not improve notably—but they say that this finding could be valuable. "If we can target these small cognitive (认知的) functions before children are older and lose some brain plasticity, then perhaps we can treat aspects of dyslexia before they've fully formed, " says Simone Gori, co-author of the study.

Dyslexia often goes untreated in Italy's overburdened public health and school systems, says Marilu Tempini, a behavioral neurologist at the University of California. She hopes to see larger future studies conducted in other languages as well. "Eyes are an extension of the brain, " she says, "so when we play video games, it's directly connected to our cognitive function—and there is so much research potential there. "

The car turned onto the familiar road that led to Grandma's farm. "Jude, this summer holiday will be a great chance for you to stay with your grandma," Dad said as he drove. Every moment, we were moving farther away from the city, the place where I knew how to do things right.

The car engine wasn't off before Grandma hugged me. I slowly dragged myself out of the car. "Jude, you look unhappy. Why?" Grandma asked. She acted like nothing bad had happened last time. Could I ask how much money her neighbor Mr. Jackson had lost because of my mistake? Was he still upset with me? "I'm fine," I answered. "I'm just missing my computer camp. Computers are something I'm good at." "That sounds disappointing." Grandma nodded.

I liked visiting the farm during breaks before I messed things up last summer. Grandma lived alone, and Mr. Jackson was like family to her. Then one day I forgot to lock the gate and let the goats into his flower beds. He lost almost all his roses for the farmers' market.

Now, back at the farm, I felt nervous. I was trying to hide in the room when I saw Mr. Jackson! He was opening the door and calling Grandma. "I need help!" he yelled to her. "Just a second for the freshly harvested roses!" That was when he saw me. I felt my heart tighten and was ready for his criticism. I deserved it. He had probably been waiting for this moment since last summer.

However, Mr. Jackson greeted me happily, "Great, Jude is here! Your grandma always tells us you are a wonderfully competent(有能力的)computer programmer." I shook my head. "I am not competent. I am sorry I messed things up." He was surprised and comforted me, "It was an accident. Being competent doesn't mean you never make mistakes."

I looked out of the window. There were piles of roses waiting to be sold. "Jude, can you help us? We want to sell roses online. We have a computer and all the parts(零件)for our internet connection, but we just can't set it up," Grandma asked. No internet. They seemed to live in the twentieth century.

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。

Maybe I could be someone who was really competent.

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Within a few hours, orders for roses flooded in.

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1. 推荐的公园：

2. 推荐该公园的理由。

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 James,

Glad to hear that you're planning to travel to China!

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Yours,

Li Hua