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But it wasn't until he was a teenager that things finallyclicked. His mother had just woken up and was telling him about a dream she had. "Movielike," is how she described it. "I asked her what she meant and quickly realized my visual imagery was not functioning like hers." That's because Luciani has a condition called aphantasia - an inability to picture objects, people and scenes in his mind. When he was growing up, the term didn't even exist.

But now, Luciani, a cognitive scientist at the University of Glasgow, and other scientists are getting a clearer picture of how some brains work, including those with a blind mind's eye.

In a recent study, Luciani and colleagues explored the connections between the senses, in this case, hearing and seeing. In most of our brains, these two senses collaborate. Auditory information influences activity in brain areas that handle vision. But in people with aphantasia, this connection isn't as strong, researchers report November 4 in Current Biology. While in a brain scanner, blindfolded people listened to three sound scenes: A forest full of birds, a crowd of people, and a street bustling with traffic. In 10 people without aphantasia, these auditory scenes create reliable neural hallmarks in parts of the visual cortex (视觉皮层). But in 23 people with aphantasia, these hallmarks were weaker.

The results highlight the range of brain organizations, says cognitive neuroscientist Lars Muckli, also of the University of Glasgow. "Imagine the brain has an interconnectedness that comes in different strengths," Muckli says. At one end of the spectrum (图谱) are people with synesthesia (共感), for whom sounds and sights are tightly mingled. "In the midrange, you experience the mind's eye - knowing something is not real, but sounds can trigger some images in your mind. And then you have aphantasia," he says. "Sounds don't trigger any visual experience, not even a faint one."

The results help explain how brains of people with and without aphantasia differ, and they also give clues about brains more generally, Muckli says. "The senses of the brain are more interconnected than our textbooks tell us."

Given that direct observations are often impracticable, remote observation systems are crucial for capturing phenomena that are frequent and unpredictable. However, the Bimbache community of ElHierro observed water running down tree bark during fog events and captured it for drinking, washing and agriculture many years ago. If more contemporary hydrologists (水文学家) had watched fog by trees, forest managers might not have logged (伐木) the Bull Run Watershed, which reduced local rainfall by 30% in 1982.

Water science faces criticism because of a "techno optimism that tries to solve all problems". In fact, this issue extends beyond water science. An interdisciplinary research team led by John T. VanStan from Cleveland State University argues that scientists should go beyond the laboratory to directly observe weather phenomena. The researchers insist that hands-on observation of storm events is crucial for comprehending the complexities of wet weather.

"Natural scientists seem increasingly content to stay dry and rely on remote sensors and samplers, models, and virtual experiments to understand natural systems. Consequently, we can miss important stormy phenomena, imaginative inspirations, and opportunities to build intuition (直觉) — all of which are critical to scientific progress," said Van Stan's team.

This type of "umbrella science", they warn, can miss important localized events. For instance, in describing rainwater's flow from the forest treetops to the soils, the authors note that "if several branches efficiently capture and carry storm water to the stem, rainwater inputs to near-stem soils can be more than100 times greater." Likewise, water vapor (水蒸气) clouds trapped beneath forest treetop covers may escape remote detection, yet be sensitive to scientists on the ground. At the broader scale, these oversights can affect Ground Earth systems models, which often underestimate forest treetop water storage.

Direct observation, however, has gone beyond making up for the shortcomings of "umbrella science." Van Stan and colleagues see core value in firsthand storm experiences — not only for natural scientists, but also for students studying climate change impacts on ecosystems.

When the students showed up for their first day, they weren't exactly excited. Over the next few hours, Mandekic and McNee gave the kids techniques to improve their shooting while also helping them calculate their field-goal percentage — which, in turn, taught them about fractions and decimal (分数和小数) points. At the end of the game, the winning team was determined based on which group had the highest total percentage and had done the most efficient math. "When the bell rang, they were so fixated on collecting their data and figuring out which team won that they didn't leave," says Mandekic. "I realized we might be onto something."

The classes, later named BallMatics, soon spread to other schools. "I was terrible at math," says Douglas, who enrolled in a fast-track summer program. "But once I started BallMatics and realized the sport I loved was directly tied to math, it made me a lot better at it. Every time I played basketball, I was thinking about math."

Almost any math problem, McNee and Mandekic realized, can be taught on the court. Kids can learn how to navigate an X-Y grid to find their next shooting spot or absorb the basic principles of trigonometry based on the angle at which they release the ball. In 2019, McNec and Mandekic established a private high school called Uchenna Academy. At the school, kids with top basketball skills can study all subjects, train at their sport and work part-time helping out with the BallMatics afterschool programs.

Douglas, now 20 and earning a degree in education believes the school's commitment to academics is the key reason it's been a winner. "If we didn't do our work, we weren't playing at the game," he says, adding that coaches would bench kids who didn't keep up in class. "At Uchenna, we were student athletes, not athlete students."

Nowhere does festive charm quite like mainland Europe. The continent, particularly its northern region, is ideal for those searching for a perfect winter wonderland during this time of year.

Vienna, Austria

The beautiful Austrian capital oozes festive charm come the end of the year. And Spittelberg market definitely ups the ante (规格). Gorgeous handicrafts and handmade sweaters are just some of the treats on offer at the festive stalls set among the streets of the Biedermeier Quarter. Visitors can take a slow stroll, while marveling at how the architecture seems tailor made for the holidays.

Valkenburg, Netherlands

Valkenburg, in the southern Netherlands, has much of the usual European Christmas charms to entice visitors: lights, towering trees, and stalls. However, what makes it distinctive is the fact they can all be found underground. The town's Christmas Caves have become internationally renowned, with a wide range of stalls selling festive gifts and decorations. The Municipality Cave is home to one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe.

Hallstatt, Austria

On the banks of Hallstätter See and surrounded by soaring Alpine peaks, the town of Hallstatt and its stunning landscape enjoy UNESCO protection. The 16th-century townhouses, tiny lanes and virtual guarantee of snow come Christmas make the festive mood. Hallstatt's Christmas market is the stuff of legend. Picture a brightly lit tree, and stalls selling decorations, and handicrafts and you're halfway to imagining just how special this spot is.

Colmar, France

All over Europe few capture the imagination or revel in a fairytale setting quite like that of Colmar, in the Alsace region of France. No less than six themed markets can be found in the center, where cozy wooden chalets are packed tightly together. At around 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a children's choir takes to the local canal, known as Petite Venise, or Little Venice, singing carols and providing even more holiday cheer.

Michael loved playing Legend of Starfell on his computer. Every day, he eagerly logged in, diving into the vibrant world of the game. He quickly became the expert among his friends, showing them the hidden tools and tricks he had discovered. Their game group chat always buzzed with excitement.

However, one day while playing online, his enthusiasm turned into frustration. As he instructed his friends on what to do, he shouted at them when they made mistakes.

"Michael, stop yelling," his friend Mark said over the headset, sounding annoyed.

"Yeah, I'm just trying to have fun here," Jay added. Michael felt a wave of frustration wash over him. The joy of the game was slipping away, drowned out by the constant noise of his friends.

After that incident, Michael decided to play on his own. He thought it would be better to focus without them. Often, he was deep into a game when his friends wanted to start a new one. Ignoring their messages, he continued his solo adventures.

As summer vacation began, Michael spent entire days lost in Legend of Starfell. The game's colorful landscapes and exciting quests pulled him in completely. Meanwhile, his friends made plans to hang out, but he chose to stay home and play games instead, thinking he was having more fun.

By the end of summer, Michael's progress had slowed. Even though he was ranked high, he couldn't reach the "elite pro" level, and the game started to feel dull. The chat, once lively, had gone silent for weeks. His friends had stopped calling him, and when he tried to reach out, they were often busy or uninterested.

As summer came to an end, Michael felt a deep sense of loneliness. He realized he had spent so much time gaming that he had nothing except tired eyes and a heavy heart.

注意：

1.续写词数应为150词左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。

Feeling empty, he knew it was time for a change.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The game group chat lit up with their voices again.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.你的选择；

2.说明理由。

注意：

1.写作词数应为80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Jenny,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Best regards,

Li Hua

An exhibition at the Xingyun Art Gallery in Shenzhen is featuring artwork (inspire) by knot-tying, or zhongguojie in Chinese, which originated in China over 2,500 years ago.

Knot-tying is one of most traditional handicrafts. The interweaving and looping of the ropes reflect the unique aesthetic and cultural connotations of the Chinese nation, according to Liu Xin, is in charge of the exhibition.

"The exhibition combines knot-tying culture, modern craftsmanship and contemporary art," says Liu. "We hope to present the rather delicate knot-tying art and its cultural significance in a visual context, initiate dialogues with decorative art, folk art and modernist art."

"In knot-tying, each step should aim for a (harmony) and complete pattern. You try to (skillful) manipulate the ropes and guide them to form the desired shape until a perfect knot is created," explains Chen Yue, a knot-tying enthusiast among the visitors to the exhibition.

"The crafter's patience and creativity (demonstrate) during the knot-tying process, and any carelessness might lead to flaws," she adds. "A masterful crafter always (try) to complete the knot with a sense of precision and elegance as a way of respect the art form."

Liu says that the symmetry of the knots, the beauty in the strategic arrangement of the ropes, and the flowing lines of the finished work motivated artists (create) oil paintings, pottery sculptures, digitally-designed patterns and embroidery works for the exhibition.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" I asked, noticing the pencil behind his ear. Issa, 16,2 his forehead with a worn-out sleeve. "The school building3 after the rains," he explained. "Without walls, we take turns4 under a mango tree when the teacher comes."

His words revealed Sierra Leone's contradiction in5. While the government6 school fees in 2018 and built hundreds of new schools, many still need repairs. About 32% of children here still7 primary school — though down from 62% a decade ago.

"Last month," Issa8, "they gave us textbooks", making a9 to his barefoot sisters." But no shoes means no school." Later, at a UNICEF center, I saw10 in action: solar lamps, shared notebooks, mobile libraries reaching11 villages.

National enrollment rose from 1.2 million to 2.1 million since12 began. Girls' attendance jumped by 37%, with programs like free lunches helping stop kids from leaving school due to13.

As I left, Issa's sisters in tire-sandals (凉鞋) were14 a book bicycle. Their laughter showed the15 of Sierra Leone's education change: every child's right to learn.

Alex Chen, the lead AI developer behind this project, wears his signature hoodie (连帽衫) and glasses as he adjusts the system daily. His goal? The AI processes requests in milliseconds, responding with clear, well-structured answers. When users engage with it, a friendly "How can I assist you today?" sets the tone—a small but meaningful touch that makes the exchange feel personal. Even during peak hours, when thousands of requests flood in all at once, the AI remains reliable, never sacrificing speed or accuracy.

Chen's day begins at 5:30 a.m., reviewing user feedback and working on the AI's learning models. "I want this technology to feel effortless— like chatting with a knowledgeable friend," he explains. His passion for AI arises from years of studying machine learning, but what truly drives him is making complex tech accessible to everyone.

Lisa Park, a university student majoring in computer science, relies on the AI daily. "It's not just about getting answers— it's how the AI explains things. Even difficult concepts become easy to grasp," she says. For her, the AI isn't just a tool. Another user, Mark Reynolds, a freelance writer, adds, "It helps me brainstorm ideas faster than I could alone. The suggestions are creative and actually useful."

" I can't imagine working on anything else," Chen admits. His team is already testing new features, like voice interaction and real-time language translation, to expand its capabilities.
​​​​​​​

A. It's a study partner that adapts to her learning style.

B. To ensure every interaction feels natural and helpful.

C. He organizes weekly user meetings to collect advice.

D. After five years of refining the AI, he's determined to make it smarter.

E. Some mornings, he logs in early to push updates before users wake up.

F. What Chen might not realize is how much his work impacts daily lives.

G. Not only does it provide instant solutions, it also offers human-like experience.

Roads also act as barriers, preventing animals from moving freely. The constant traffic on highways creates what scientists call a "moving fence"— a wall of vehicles that animals avoid crossing. While we often see dead animals like deer or squirrels on roads, we don't see the ones that never try to cross. This isolation can harm animal populations more than roadkill itself.

Chemicals from roads also damage the environment. Every year, the U. S. uses 20 million tons of road salt to melt ice, which pollutes nearby soil and plants. Cars release metals like zinc and copper, and tires leave behind microplastics. These pollutants make roadsides dangerous for creatures like monarch butterflies, even though these areas could otherwise be good habitats.

Roadsides sometimes attract animals with food like flowers or berries, but this becomes an "ecological trap". Animals are drawn to these resources, only to face the danger of traffic.

Interestingly, when traffic decreases, animals quickly adapt. Researchers in the Bay Area found that when cars disappeared for months, white-crowned sparrows — small songbirds — started singing more complex and varied songs. Without traffic noise, they no longer needed to "shout" and could return to their natural behaviors. This shows how much roads affect wildlife — but also how adaptable animals can be.

Despite these challenges, Goldfarb says, certain species have made remarkable adaptations. He notes that Chicago's urban foxes are said to look both ways before crossing the street. "We think about roads as these forces that are universally or exclusively harmful to animals, and certainly they're incredibly destructive," he says. "But wildlife is also impressively adaptive and clever and animals are finding ways to make a living in our midst."

Technology is everywhere nowadays, especially at work. Some people are really good at using all the cool new tools that keep popping up. They have something called a TQ, or technology quotient. Think of it like a superpower for understanding the latest tech stuff that our great-grandparents would have found really impossible. Having a high TQ means you're awesome at using all the cool new things that not everyone knows about yet.

The examples are common and becoming more and more frequent. For the parent it might be a home-school video class. For the brand manager it might be search engine boosting. And for the clinician, it might be the role of artificial intelligence in supporting the analysis of a CT scan. TQ attempts to quantify our ability to make sensible use of current technologies and to quickly adapt, embrace and capitalize on future creations. This adoption is critical from a variety of perspectives, from social to business. One trip into the world of ChatGPT and we can see how the dynamics of AI and search are changing for just about everyone.

Any Mom or Dad can understand the value of IQ and EQ in projecting the potential for a child's success. But what about technology? The ability for the child and the teacher to understand, embrace and assimilate technology will be a defining aspect of their lives as we speed into the future. We are increasingly defined by technology and our active participation in everything from smart phones to Facebook. It might just be time for the basic human needs of food, water and shelter to incorporate technology too. And when that happens, it just might be a good idea to measure it.

While this shift brings challenges, it's unstoppable. As TQ rises, it will combine with IQ and EQ, reshaping how we live, work, and learn — turning adaptability with tech into a measurable edge.

The greengrocer with a heart of gold—a Chinese immigrant in her 50s who runs this stall alone—is rarely glimpsed by her grateful customers. Lena Wong rises before dawn to prepare to work in her small plot in Enfield, outside London. Depending on the season, she'll reap onions, eggplant, green peppers, etc. And she works several overnight shifts every week at a nursing home to supplement her and her husband's modest salaries.

All this started one day as she was selling produce in Enfield, and a young customer said that he barely earned enough to buy food. "I hate the idea of young people walking around hungry," Lena Wong said. The seed was planted. "I want young people to feel that they're not forgotten, that they are treasured," she said. "That not everyone is out for himself. I can make money anytime. Right now, I want to give young people a helping hand."

Sometimes, when she arrives late in the day, customers get a chance to thank her in person. In return, she's fond of offering botanical sayings that she collected from a life that has had its share of both joy and pain. "Even in a field full of weeds," Lena Wong likes to say, "you can grow something— if you put in the effort."

Below were key updates as of Friday night.

1. Casualties & Emergency Response

The floods have killed 24 people, and 25 campers from Camp Mystic remain missing as searches continue. Emergency crews including the Texas National Guard have rescued 237 people using helicopters supported by over 500 personnel from federal agencies (including FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard) that are currently assisting in affected areas.

2. Challenges

Rescue teams struggled to reach isolated communities as flooded roads and downed power lines blocked access, delaying critical aid. To make matters worse, early weather warnings had underestimated the flood's severity, leaving residents little time to reach safety.

3. Government Response

Governor Greg Abbott issued an emergency disaster declaration for 15 central Texas counties, accelerating state funding for recovery efforts. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick noted communication outages likely delayed locating missing campers.

4. Recovery Outlook

The Red Cross has set up 12 shelters, helping more than 1,200 displaced families. Environmental agencies warn that flooded factories could cause pollution. Meanwhile, transportation officials say highway repairs may take weeks.