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"Can I sit next to you?" she asked, looking around nervously. I understood3: the bus was filled with muscle men. I4the seat beside me, and we sat5for about fifteen minutes.

Then, we introduced ourselves. Anara, my travel companion, was pleasant yet shy. As she spoke, I realized her nervousness was6. With the journey continuing, the dark snowy road added to the7, the bus shaking as snow fell heavily. Seeing Anara quietly crying, I8but finally offered, "Do you want some chocolate?"

To my surprise, she9my chocolate bar and shared her story. Then, I knew Anara was10about her rushed decision to find her mum she had never seen before. "I just want to visit her," she said, "to11if she loves me. I want to be12, even just a little."

As we parted, I hugged her tightly. I13her courage in seeking happiness. Courage isn't the14of fear; it's facing the unknown with an open heart. The road teaches us to be15in our pursuit of what truly matters.

Lead author Dr Zeynep Nas said, "Food fussiness is common among children and can be a major source of anxiety for parents and caregivers, who often blame themselves for this behaviour or are blamed by others. "We hope our finding that fussy eating is largely inborn may help to ease parental blame. This behaviour is not a result of parenting."

Senior author Dr Clare Llewellyn said, "While genetic factors are the major influence for food fussiness, environment also plays a supporting role. Environmental factors, such as sitting down together as a family to eat meals, may only be significant in toddlerhood (蹒跚学步期); While environmental factors, such as individual personal experiences (e.g., having different friends), become more influential in later years." This suggests that interventions (干预) to help children eat a wider range of foods, such as repeatedly exposing children to the same foods regularly and offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, may be most effective in the very early years. Unique environmental factors accounted for about a quarter of individual differences between children in fussy eating by ages 7 and 13, the researchers estimated.

Among the study limitations, the researchers noted that there were fewer participants at age 7 compared to other time points and that the study sample (样本) had a large percentage of white British households of higher social economic backgrounds compared to the general population of England and Wales. In future, the team said, research should focus on non-western populations where food culture, parental feeding practices and food security may be quite different.

Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns recently said, "As we got to know him… he was among the highest individuals in America; I'm talking about the level of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson — people who have had a transformational effect on who we are."

So where is the quote from? Well, John Muir was a productive writer. Whether he was writing poetry or simply letters to his family, John Muir was always putting pen to paper. The quote is from within one of his many letters written to his sister:

Jiang Hui was born into a poor family in Santai County, a mountainous area in Mianyang. His parents, both farmers with calloused hands and sun-wrinkled faces, struggled to make ends meet by planting rice and corn on the barren hillside. The thatched-roof house they lived in leaked whenever it rained, and the only electrical appliance was a 14-inch black-and-white TV that often broke down.

Life during high school was even harder. To save money for textbooks, Jiang Hui never bought breakfast. At noon, while classmates rushed to the canteen for hot meals, he would slip back to the empty classroom, take out a 2-yuan instant noodle from his worn-out schoolbag, and eat it quickly with cold water from the tap. In the evening, after self-study, he would linger at the school gate food stand, hesitating for a long time before buying a steamed bun-his only dinner, which he would break into small pieces and chew for 10 minutes to make it "last longer."

But poverty never dimmed his desire to learn. He woke up at 4:30 every morning, tiptoeing to the school corridor where the streetlights were still on, and read English words aloud in a low voice to avoid disturbing others. At night, he was the last to leave the classroom, studying by the dim light until the guard urged him to go. His winter coat was too thin to keep out the cold, so he would pace back and forth while reciting texts to stay warm; his shoes, with holes in the soles, were stuffed with newspaper to keep his feet from getting wet on rainy days. When he felt hungry, he drank water to fill his stomach; when he was tired, he splashed cold water on his face.

Three years of unremitting efforts finally bore fruit. On a sweltering July afternoon, a postman rode his bicycle to the village, shouting Jiang Hui's name. The admission letter from North China Electric Power University, with its red seal, glittered like a precious gem in his trembling hands.

Paragraph 1: Holding the admission letter, Jiang Hui stood under the old banyan tree at the village entrance, unable to move.

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Paragraph 2: Two months later, on the day Jiang Hui left for university, the first ray of sunlight had just painted the mountain tops gold when the village alley was already bustling.

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In 2010, the release of the iPhone 4 caused a global sensation, with countless consumers eager to get their hands on the revolutionary device. Among them were many young people, some of whom even went to extreme lengths to afford it. However, one tragic case stood out—a teenager who made an irreversible decision(chase) this trend, only to regret it for a lifetime.

The teenager, then 17, was obsessed with owning an iPhone 4, but his family could not afford the high price. Instead of communicating with his parents or finding a reasonable way to earn money, he was misled into selling one of his kidneys through an illegal intermediary. At the time, he thought the sacrifice was worthfor the latest phone, never realizing that his health was far more valuable than any electronic device.

Years have passed, and the once-coveted iPhone 4 is now a vintage item (sell) for no more than 20 yuan on second-hand platforms. Its functions are outdated, and it can barely meet the needs of modern life., the teenager's health has been permanently damaged. He suffers from chronic kidney disease and has to rely on regular medical treatment to survive. What was once a symbol of fashion and status has long faded away, but the pain and loss he endures (remain) unchanged.

This case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of rational consumption. In a world materialism and consumerism are prevalent, it is easy to be tempted by the latest trends and feel pressured to keep up with others. However, true happiness does not come from owning expensive things, from recognizing what really matters—health, family, and personal growth.

Young people, in particular, should learn to distinguish between needs and wants. Before making a purchase, they ought to ask (they) whether the item is truly necessary and whether they can afford it without sacrificing something more important. It is also crucial to develop a correct view of value, understanding that the worth of a person is not determined by the brand of their phone the clothes they wear.

Looking back on that incident, we can see that blind pursuit of material goods can lead to irreversible consequences. The 20-yuan iPhone 4 is a stark symbol of how fleeting material trends are, while health and well-being are priceless and irreplaceable. May this story encourage everyone to consume rationally, cherish what they have, and not let temporary desires(destroy) their long-term happiness.

To squeeze out more learning time, I made countless sacrifices, the most reckless of which was skipping meals. Breakfast often2 a quick sip of milk grabbed on the way to class, lunch was either skipped entirely or replaced with a snack eaten while flipping through textbooks. Dinner? More often than not, I'd3 the cafeteria and stay glued to my desk, solving math problems or memorizing English words until midnight. My parents repeatedly warned me about the4 of this routine, but I brushed off their concerns, convinced that academic success was worth the cost.

The price came sooner than I expected. Three months into the semester, a sharp pain in my stomach sent me rushing to the infirmary. The doctor diagnosed acute gastroenteritis,5 by irregular eating habits. After a day of rest and medication, I was back in the classroom,6 to let the setback derail my progress. But the illness returned twice more that year, each episode more7than the last. Lying in the hospital bed with an IV drip, I'd feel a wave of8 — regret for neglecting my health, yet stubbornness to keep pushing forward.

Amid the agony, there were glimmers of happiness that made the struggle bearable. The9 of solving a difficult physics problem after hours of effort, the encouragement from teachers who noticed my perseverance, and the silent solidarity with classmates who were fighting the same battle. We'd share snacks secretly during evening self-study, exchange notes filled with key formulas, and cheer each other on when mock exam scores were10. Those small, warm moments acted as a lifeline, pulling me through the darkest days.

I also cherished the quiet moments of11. Late at night, when the classroom emptied and only the hum of the air conditioner remained, I'd look out the window at the starry sky and dream of my future university. Those fleeting thoughts of what lay beyond the college entrance exam gave me the12 to keep going. Even the pain of gastroenteritis became a13 — a reminder of how badly I wanted to achieve my goals.

Now, as a college student, I look back on that year with mixed feelings. I'm proud of the perseverance I displayed, but I also recognize the14 of my choices. The stomachaches have faded, but the memory of those tough days lingers. It was a time of intense suffering, yet also profound growth — a period where I learned the value of balance, the importance of health, and the power of resilience.

Senior Three is a journey like no other. It teaches you that success often comes with sacrifices, but not all sacrifices are worth making. For me, those 12 months will always be a15 memory — one to reflect on, but never to revisit.

In response to these challenges, a series of nationwide educational reforms have been steadily enhanced. At the policy level, authorities have issued guidelines to reduce students' academic burden — limiting the amount of homework assigned to primary and secondary school students, banning excessive after-school tutoring classes, and reducing the frequency of standardized tests. For example, primary schools now prioritize hands-on activities and experiential learning, while high schools have expanded the range of elective courses, covering areas such as environmental protection, artificial intelligence, traditional crafts, and community service. These changes aim to help students discover their interests and develop diverse talents beyond textbook knowledge.

Schools have also revamped their teaching methods to move away from rote memorization and one-way lecturing. Teachers now design more interactive lessons, incorporating group discussions, project-based learning, and real-world problem-solving tasks. For instance, in science classes, students might conduct experiments to explore chemical reactions rather than just memorizing formulas; in literature classes, they are encouraged to analyze themes and express personal interpretations instead of reciting standard answers. This shift not only enhances students' understanding of knowledge but also fosters critical thinking and collaboration skills.

The role of parents has evolved significantly as well. In the past, many parents focused solely on their children's test scores, pushing them to attend numerous tutoring classes and setting unrealistic academic expectations. They now pay more attention to their children's mental health, encourage them to pursue hobbies such as sports, music, or painting, and recognize that success in life extends beyond academic achievements. Parent-teacher communication has also become more holistic, with discussions covering not just grades but also students' emotional state and social development.

However, educational reform is a gradual and complex process that cannot be achieved overnight. For example, some rural areas still lack sufficient resources to offer diverse elective courses, and there remains a gap between the reform goals and the actual implementation in certain schools. Additionally, the deep-rooted mindset of valuing exam scores over all else still influences some parents and educators. Despite these challenges, the direction of the reform is clear to build an education system that nurtures well-rounded individuals who are academically competent, emotionally resilient, and socially responsible. With continuous efforts from schools, parents, and society as a whole, this vision is gradually taking shape.

A. These policy adjustments have paved the way for more student-centered teaching practices.

B. Some students even suffered from anxiety and burnout due to the constant pressure to perform well in exams.

C. They no longer view academic achievements as the sole measure of their children's success.

D. Many educators and parents have recognized the need to reform the traditional exam-oriented model.

E. Some challenges and gaps still exist between the reform's goals and real-world implementation.

F. Instead, they emphasize student participation and the development of practical problem-solving abilities.

G. Teachers are also receiving training to adapt to the new teaching methods and better guide students' growth.

The root cause of the ban lies in Hu's repeated dissemination of divisive remarks that pitted different groups against each other. As sorted out by Zhejiang Propaganda, Hu initiated a controversial narrative during his live streams, categorizing people into "Apple users" and "Android users" based on their choice of mobile phone. This simplistic dichotomy quickly escalated into a widespread online trend, with Hu and other copycat content creators attaching derogatory labels: "Apple users" were glorified as symbols of success, elegance, and elite status, while "Android users" were unfairly stigmatized as inferior, low-income, and low-status. The division did not stop at mobile phones; Hu extended this flawed logic to other aspects of life, drawing arbitrary links between one's choice of consumer goods and personal worth — including housing, cars, education, and even social status.

Behind this divisive rhetoric was a clear commercial motive: by stirring up emotional conflicts and selling anxiety, Hu sought to attract attention, boost traffic, and ultimately monetize his popularity. Such content, however, had harmful social consequences. Zhejiang Propaganda criticized the practice as a dangerous distortion of values, arguing that reducing human worth to material possessions like mobile phones turns humanity into a commodity priced by online traffic. It also warned that if such labeling is allowed to spread, every daily choice-from which food delivery to order to which sneakers to wear — could fragment society into hostile groups, eroding the foundation of rational public discourse.

The ban on Hu's accounts aligns with a broader national campaign launched by China's Cyberspace Administration on September 22, 2025. Titled "Clean Network Rectify Malicious Incitement of Negative Emotions", the two-month special operation targets content that deliberately stirs up antagonism, promotes violence, or spreads hostility online. Zhejiang Propaganda emphasized that addressing such cognitive distortions requires platforms to take full responsibility — they must not allow divisive content to become a reliance for gaining traffic and profits. Only by making those who incite division unprofitable and powerless can content creation return to rationality and sincerity, safeguarding a clean, orderly online space.

Beyond the immediate ban, the incident reflects deeper societal issues. Scholars note that young netizens, while eager to engage with public issues and sympathetic to the struggles of ordinary people, can easily be swayed by extreme, black-and-white logic due to limited life experience and the influence of algorithms. Hu himself, in his twenties, once gained popularity for videos showing him helping disadvantaged groups like migrant workers, which resonated with young audiences. Yet his shift toward divisive content highlights how even well-meaning individuals can be trapped by the pursuit of traffic, sliding from sincere expression to emotional incitement.

For society, the incident serves as a crucial reminder: fostering a healthy online environment requires collective effort. Platforms must strengthen content moderation instead of prioritizing traffic over social responsibility. Mainstream voices should engage in direct, respectful dialogue with young people, acknowledging their concerns rather than dismissing their views as trivial. In the long run, building a more inclusive public discourse — where diverse perspectives are heard without hostility — will help curb the spread of divisive content and guide young people toward more rational, empathetic ways of engaging with the world.

The most striking feature of the iPhone Air is its revolutionary design philosophy, which prioritizes both aesthetics and durability. As the thinnest iPhone ever created by Apple, it boasts a titanium alloy body that not only reduces the overall weight but also enhances structural strength. The back of the device is fitted with a sapphire crystal panel, while the front is protected by an upgraded sapphire crystal display — an innovation that boosts scratch resistance by three times compared to previous generations. Measuring 6.5 inches, the Super Retina XDR display supports a 120Hz ProMotion adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions even during high-intensity tasks such as gaming or video editing. What's more, the adoption of an eSIM-only design has allowed Apple to optimize internal space utilization, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot and contributing to the device's ultra-slim profile. This design choice also enables the iPhone Air to be compatible with over 500 carriers worldwide, including major Chinese operators like China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, making it a truly global device.

Under the hood, the iPhone Air is powered by a cutting-edge chipset combination — Apple's A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips — marking the most comprehensive Apple-designed chip configuration ever featured in an iPhone. This powerful trio not only secures the device's position as the most energy-efficient iPhone to date but also delivers professional-grade performance capable of handling resource-intensive applications with ease. Whether it's 4K video rendering, complex 3D modeling, or multitasking with multiple heavy apps, the iPhone Air maintains smooth operation without compromising battery life, supporting all-day usage on a single charge — a key advantage for users with demanding daily schedules.

The imaging system of the iPhone Air has also undergone significant upgrades to meet the growing needs of content creators. The 48-megapixel fusion main camera is engineered to produce image quality comparable to that of a four-lens setup, capturing vivid details, accurate colors, and stunning dynamic range in various lighting conditions. On the front, the 18-megapixel Center Stage camera features an innovative square sensor, supporting 4K HDR video recording with ultra-steady image stabilization and simultaneous dual-camera shooting. These enhancements make the iPhone Air an ideal tool for selfies, vlog creation, and video conferencing, catering to the trend of social media-driven content production. Additionally, the device is available in four elegant color options — Deep Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue-with a starting storage capacity of 256GB, addressing the storage concerns of modern users who frequently store large files such as photos, videos, and apps.

To complement the iPhone Air, Apple has launched a range of exclusive accessories tailored to enhance the user experience. These include a MagSafe battery pack priced at 799 yuan, a MagSafe protective case for 399 yuan, and a crossbody lanyard for 479 yuan, offering convenient carrying solutions for on-the-go users. Since the pre-order phase began on October 17, 2025, the iPhone Air has witnessed overwhelming demand, with popular configurations — particularly the Sky Blue variant — selling out rapidly on major ecommerce platforms. This enthusiastic market response reflects consumers' recognition of Apple's efforts to balance performance, design, and affordability.

Beyond its appeal to individual users, the launch of the iPhone Air holds strategic significance for Apple's market layout. By introducing a mid-to-high-end model that bridges the gap between standard and Pro iPhones, the company aims to capture a broader customer base, catering to both budget-conscious consumers seeking premium features and tech lovers who don't require the full range of Pro-level functionalities. Simultaneously, the release of the iPhone Air, alongside the new M5 chip-equipped Vision Pro headset, iPad Pro, and MacBook Pro, forms a powerful product ecosystem that strengthens Apple's dominance in multiple segments of the consumer electronics industry. Industry analysts predict that the iPhone Air will not only drive Apple's sales growth in the coming quarters but also influence competitors' product strategies, potentially triggering a new wave of slim, high-performance smartphones in the market.

As technology continues to evolve, the iPhone Air stands as a testament to Apple's commitment to innovation and user-centric design. It proves that a smartphone can be both powerful and elegant, high-performing and energy-efficient, meeting the diverse needs of modern consumers in an increasingly connected world. For those seeking a device that combines flagship-level features with a more accessible price point, the iPhone Air is undoubtedly a standout choice in the current smartphone landscape.

Everything shifted when Lily joined our class in the second semester. Bright and gentle, she was a top student with English scores consistently in the grade's top 5. Her smooth pronunciation and insightful answers in class left everyone impressed, but what touched me most was her kindness. Once, after I scored a mere 73 on a test and sat alone in despair, she walked over softly. "Don't give up," she said, pointing out my mistakes and explaining grammar points patiently. Staring into her warm eyes, I felt a sudden urge to narrow the gap between us—not just to win her favor, but to prove I could stand beside someone as excellent as her.

I threw myself into English with unshakable resolve. Starting with vocabulary, I bought a notebook and wrote down every difficult word repeatedly—sometimes 400 times a day until my fingers ached. I stayed up late reading simple English articles, looked up every unknown word, and copied model essays to learn sentence structures. I also mustered the courage to ask Lily for help after class, she always recommended useful resources and encouraged me when I stumbled. There were setbacks: mock exams with little progress, classmates mocking my "foolish pursuit," and nights I wanted to quit. But the thought of Lily's belief in me kept me going.

Two years of relentless effort paid off. My scores rose steadily, and by senior year, I was scoring over 120 in mock exams. In the college entrance examination, I achieved 125-far beyond my wildest dreams as a freshman. When I told Lily, she smiled and said, "I always knew you could do it." Looking back, Lily was the spark that ignited my motivation, but the real victory was overcoming my own doubts. I learned that no matter how tough the start, persistence and self-belief can turn even the most impossible goals into reality.

At DanceDream, we understand that every dancer deserves the perfect shoes. Since 2010, we have been providing high-quality dance footwear to enthusiasts across the country. Our online store features an extensive collection of both ballet and Latin dance shoes, carefully designed to meet the needs of dancers at different stages of their journey.

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Our ballet shoes combine traditional craftsmanship with modern comfort technology. Made from premium soft leather and breathable satin, they feature reinforced toes for durability and flexible soles that allow natural foot movement. The elastic straps ensure secure fitting while maintaining elegant lines.

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Best For: Ballet students, academy performers, professional dancers, and dance teachers

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Experience the rhythm and passion with our Latin dance shoes! Designed with professional dancers, these shoes feature suede soles for perfect floor contact, adjustable straps for ankle support, and comfortable heel heights ranging from 2 to 3 inches. Available in various colors and designs to match your dance costume.

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Best For: Salsa social dancers, competition performers, dance instructors, and Latin dance lovers

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We're not just selling shoes – we're supporting dreams. Our team includes former professional dancers who understand your needs. We offer size consultation services and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Join our DanceDream community today and step into your next dance adventure with confidence!

Most people think that procrastination (拖延症) is a negative habit. But people like me who routinely put off doing assignments, are likely to defend our "slower" approach to getting tasks done.

I'm the only procrastination in my family. My parents and sister were all born with the "do it right now" gift. They are always in a rush, as if closely rushed by an invisible deadline. Personally, I prefer a more relaxed pace. When my parents voiced their concern about my tendencies, saying "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today," "No way!" I responded, confidently presenting my research as a defense. It said people procrastinated when they need to solve a problem or commit to a topic or project. In these cases, delaying a decision can be beneficial. This was because our minds continue to reflect on problems even when we were not actively thinking about them, which could lead to more creative solutions. My findings filled me with satisfaction and pride. My method of getting things done was just as good as my sister's…or so I thought.

At school we'd been talking about architecture and design. As part of the final assessment my teacher Mr. Smith announced an exciting project that each student would have a month to complete. We were expected to choose our materials, construct a small building and make use of things we had learned in class. Not only would the winners receive extra credit, but the winning constructions would be proudly displayed in the cafeteria. "I have no clue how I could get it done," my friend Nate sighed in despair. I didn't say anything. Not because I shared his anxiety but because I was not nervous at all. I loved hands-on projects! Picturing my brilliant work exhibited in the cafeteria, I was fully convinced that I would definitely produce something that could impress everyone. So relaxed was I that I didn't give it a second thought for weeks.

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。

Before I knew it, I had only one day left for the project.

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That taught me a great lesson.

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On Thursday, the National Cultural Heritage Administration in Beijing (reveal) that archaeologists had discovered two sunken ships in the depths of the South China Sea. It offered tangible evidence of commercial and (culture) exchanges along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

The latest underwater archaeological (explore) carried out by the National Center for Archaeology have (significant) uncovered important artifacts. In addition to the shipwrecks, a variety of artifacts, including pottery, porcelain and ironware, have been unearthed, most of were made in kilns (窑炉) in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, known as China's "porcelain capital." The precise locations of the shipwrecks and the associated cultural relics (determine) through the use of oceanographic technology and underwater investigations involving manned submersibles, which conducted 41 dives throughout the year, as confirmed by Song Jianzhong, researcher at the National Center for Archaeology.

The Ming Dynasty's No.1 shipwreck, (measure) 37 meters long and 11 meters wide, has yielded 543 artifacts, suggesting it sailed from Fujian or Guangdong to Southeast Asia trade centers like Malacca. The No. 2 shipwreck dates the rule of Emperor Hongzhi and measures about 21 meters long and 8 meters wide. A total of 36 artifacts have been found on it, porcelain and pottery (include).

Introverts have hidden powers.. While others are busy chatting, introverts observe things most-people are unaware of. Sometimes we can even read people. While it may seem introverts are always zoned out, we're actually analyzing and thinking of creative ideas to one day share with you.

Introverts also keep the world balanced. In a world that can't stop talking, the ability to listen to what each other has to say is an important virtue that will assist us in building peaceful relationships of understanding.. By listening to whatever people pour out, introverts help maintain the order of the world.

Introverts can self-recharge. Though the outgoing may gain their energy through mixing in crowds, introverts are self-recharging powerhouses.. Their energy is found through loneliness.

. In the noise of chatterboxes, their voices often get drowned out. There's nothing more disappointing to an introvert than finally taking advantage of a moment to speak, only to be interrupted by the extroverts (外向者）. While extroverts may speak every thought that comes to mind, an introvert will choose their thoughts carefully and only speak of the ones they think their best to share. So next time, all you have to do is to be willing to listen.

A. Unluckily, introverts are faced with a big challenge.

B. And this is exactly what our introverts are born with.

C. Introverts have shown the potential to be great leaders.

D. Extroverted people would have no one to listen to them.

E. Instead, we should appreciate introverts for various reasons.

F. They don't need to constantly put themselves out there to be lively.

G. Just because we introverts don't say much doesn't always mean we're clueless.

Professor Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, suggested that the way in which other mammals have previously responded to periods of climate change could offer an insight into humans' future. He compared the potential problem of people as similar to that of early horses, which became smaller in body size as temperatures rose around 55 million years ago.

Writing in The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, Brusatte notes that animals in warmer parts of the world today are often smaller than those in colder areas, an ecological principle known as Bergmann's rule. "The reasons are not entirely understood, but it is probably, in part, because smaller animals have a higher surface area relative to their volume than bigger animals and can thus improve the dissipation of the extra heat," he writes.

Brusatte said that becoming smaller was "a common way that mammals deal with climate change". He added, "That's not to say every species of mammal would get smaller, but it seems to be a common survival trick of mammals when temperatures rise pretty quickly. That does raise the question: If temperatures do rise really quickly, might humans get smaller? And I think that's certainly reasonable."

However, not all experts agree that rising temperature causes mammals to shrink. Professor Adrian Lister, of the Natural History Museum in London, said the relationship shown by the recent human remains study is weak. "We are not really controlled by natural selection," he said. "If that was going to happen, you'd need to find large people dying before they could reproduce because of climate warming. That is not happening in today's world. We wear clothes, we have got heating, we have got air conditioning if it is too hot."

Chatbots communicate through speech or text. Both rely on artificial intelligence technologies like machine learning and natural language processing (NLP), which is a branch of artificial intelligence that teaches machines to read, analyze and interpret human language. This technology gives chatbots a baseline for understanding language structure and meaning. NLP, in essence, allows the computer to understand what you are asking and how to appropriately respond.

With developments in deep learning and reinforcement learning, chatbots can interpret more complexities in language and improve the dynamic nature of conversation between human and machine. Essentially, a chatbot tries to match what you've asked to an intent that it understands. The more a chatbot communicates with you, the more it understands and the more it learns to communicate like you and others with similar questions. Your positive responses reinforce its answers, and then it uses those answers again.

From customer service chatbots online to personal assistants in our homes, chatbots have started to enter our lives. In almost every industry, companies are using chatbots to help customers easily navigate their websites, answer simple questions and direct people to the relevant points of contact. Personal assistants like Siri and Alexa are designed to respond to a wide range of scenarios and queries, from current weather and news updates to personal calendars, music selections and random questions.

Join our virtual community, which will introduce you to fellow alumni (校友) across industries, generations, and geographies all while gaining different perspectives by reading the book.

Why Join

Reading is good for you. It can reduce stress and increase your emotional intelligence and your creativity. The facilitated book club will also provide new insights to make you more effective in areas including leadership and communications skills, which will help you become a lifelong learner.

How It Works

Joining is completely free. You just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy. Then you can participate anywhere you have Internet access and on days and times that are convenient for you.

The book club will connect through a private forum where all participants can discuss the current book and network with each other. It will have a leader from Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru who manages the forum, shares relevant articles and facilitates conversation about topics in the book. Members will be encouraged to post and share as well.

The Books

The book club will read one book every two months so that you'll have plenty of time for each book. We will vote among several options each period and decide on the book to read according to reader interests. Feel free to name specific titles and include things like "not too technical" or "easy but informative reads." Our May to July Selection: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. If you have between 1 and 1.5 hours a week to read, you should be fine.

A train enthusiast from China has set a new Guinness World Record for the "Greatest distance travelled by train in 24 hours," (cover) an impressive 5, 887.76 kilometers within a single day, according to the official WeChat account of Guinness World Records.

The traveler, Wang Dong, journeyed Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province to Beijing, then to Shanghai, Guiyang, and (eventual) to Yibin in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, in February, 2025, arriving with only 40 seconds to spare before the 24-hour deadline.

The most intense moment came, Wang had only 31 minutes to transfer (换乘) from Beijing West Station to Beijing South Station by subway. With his incoming train (delay) by three minutes, he relied on experience and ran through the station — managing (catch) his next train in just 22 minutes.

The real (excite) came near the end of the journey. "My final train, D5122 from Guiyang to Yibin, was planned just four minutes before the 24-hour mark," Wang said. "If it had been put off by over three minutes, my attempt would have failed."

Unfortunately, when D5 122 pulled into Yibin, it was indeed late — but only by 2 minutes.

As the doors opened and Wang (step) onto the platform, his watch showed just 40 seconds remaining, which was exciting margin (差距) between success and failure.

At the end of his journey, made Mr Wang think highly of the power of China's high-speed railway system was its rapid development and high efficiency, which made the impossible possible.