Gold is one of the rarest materials on Earth and has always been considered a valuable and precious resource. It's very likely that someone in your family owns something made of gold, especially since China is one of the world's biggest buyers of gold jewellery. It's even in our smartphones - they contain parts made from this expensive material.
But where does this beautiful metal actually come from? The answer: outer space.
This August, Chinese scientists became the first in the world to witness gravitational waves（引力波）caused by the collision of neutron (中子）stars, reported Xinhua News Agency.
The sight was witnessed at China's Kunlun Antarctic Station at the South Pole, and Insight, China’s first X-ray astronomical satellite, also contributed to the discovery.
Although collisions of black holes have been recorded before, this was the first time that two neutron stars were known to have collided. It's believed that such collisions lead to huge explosions of energy, and even to the creation of precious metals such as gold and silver.
“The collision of neutron stars is like a very large gold factory in the universe,” Jin Zhiping，a researcher at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.
According to an article published by space.com, scientists have long believed gold and other materials are created in this way, but it wasn't until the recent collision that their theory was confirmed.
“The origin of the really heaviest chemical elements in the universe had confused the scientific community for quite a long time,” Hans-Thomas Janka, a senior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany, said in a news release. “Now, we have the first observational proof for neutron star mergers(合并) as sources.”
Indeed, the recently observed collision is thought to have produced an amount of gold that would weigh 10 times more than Earth, according to New Scientist
Don’t expect to be showered in gold any time soon, however. The collision actually took place 130 million years ago, taking all that time for the event's light to reach Earth.
But at least if you want to see a piece of space up close, all you have to do is to look at the ring on your mom's finger - or the smartphone in your pocket.
1.What's the author's purpose of writing the first two paragraphs?
A. To emphasize the rareness of gold.
B. To list some uses of gold in daily life.
C. To explain the reasons for the popularity of gold.
D. To interest readers about the source of gold.
2.What would the collision of neutron stars lead to according to Xinhua?
A. The creation of black holes.
B. The death of the stars.
C. The disappearance of gravitational waves.
D. The creation of gold.
3.What’s the text mainly about?
A. China’s Kunlun Antarctic Station does research into gold.
B. Collisions between two neutron stars result in gold
C. Collisions contribute to the discovery.
D. Gold is considered a valuable and precious rescource.
4.What can we learn from the article?
A. The amount of gold produced by the collision was very small.
B. The collision was the largest reported in history.
C. China played a big role in the new discovery.
D. The collision took place 130 years ago.
To a large degree，the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. In spite of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you
are—always!
Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic (神经兮兮的）art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things—all at once. We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. On the other hand, we also delay our happiness, often convincing ourselves that "someday" will be much better than today. Unfortunately, the same mental dynamics that tell us to look foward to the future will only repeat themselves so that "someday" never actually arrives. John Lennon once said，"Life is what is happening while we are busy making other plans. " When we are busy making " other plans" ，our children are busy growing up，the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life.
Many people live as if life were dress rehearsal for some late date. It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. Now is the only time we have，and the only time that we have any control over. When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future—we won’t have enough money，our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever.
To combat fear，the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present. Mark Twain said, “I have been through some terrible things in my life，some of which actually happened.” I don't think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on here and now. Your efforts will pay off.
1.In the first paragraph, the author tells us to focus on_________.
A. the past B. the future
C. every day D. the present
2.Why do we often have some negative feelings?
A. Because we often forget what happened in the past.
B. Because we are often disturbed by what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.
C. Because we often pay attention to what is happening at present.
D. Because we often ignore what will happen in the future and what happened in the past.
3.The underlined word in the last paragraph means ________
A. depend B. deserve
C. determine D. defeat
4.The best title of this passage is___
A. Always live in the present moment
B. Never forget the past
C. Never complain about life
D. Always get prepared for the future
I was attending a party onenight given in Sir Ross’s honor; and during the dinner, the man sitting next to me told ahumorous story based on the quotation(引语): “There’s a divinity that shapes ourends, rough-hew them how we will.”
The storyteller mentioned that the quotation was from the Bible. He was wrong. I knewthat, and I knew it positively. There couldn’t be the slightest doubt about it. And so, to get afeeling of importance and display my superiority, I appointed myself as an unwelcome committee of one to correct him. He stuck to his guns. “What? FromShakespeare? Impossible! Absurd! That quotation was from the Bible.” And he knew it.
The storyteller was sitting on my right; and Frank Gammond, an old friend of mine,was seated on my left. Mr. Gammond had devoted years to the study of Shakespeare. Sothe storyteller and I agreed to submit the question to Mr. Gammond. Mr. Gammondlistened, kicked me under the table, and then said: “Dale, you are wrong. Thegentleman is right. It is from the Bible.”
On our way home that night, I said to Mr. Gammond: “Frank, you knew that quotation was from Shakespeare.” “Yes, of course,” he replied, “Hamlet, Act Five, Scene Two. But we were guests at a happy time, my dear Dale. Why prove to a man he is wrong? Is that going to make him like you? Why not let him save his face? He didn’t ask for your advice. He didn’t want it. Why argue with him? Always avoid your sharp angle.” The man who said that taught me a lesson I’ll never forget. I not only had made the storyteller uncomfortable, but also had put my friend in an embarrassing situation. How much better it would have been had I not become argumentative.
Nine times out of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced than ever that he is absolutely right.You can’t win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it.
1.What did the author do to get a feeling of importance at the party?
A. Tell a humorous story. B. Show off his rich knowledge.
C. Teach the storyteller a lesson. D. Correct the storyteller’s mistake.
2.Why did Frank Gammond kick the author under the table?
A. Because he was humorous and played tricks on the author.
B. Because he was thoughtful and wanted to stop the author.
C. Because he didn’t know much about the Bible.
D. Because he thought the author was really wrong.
3.How did the author feel about the event that happened at the party?
A. Regretful. B. Thankful.
C. Satisfied. D. Confused.
4.What can be the suitable title for the passage?
A. You Can’t Win an Argument B. You Can’t Make Mistakes in Public
C. Do Have an Open Mind D. Mind Your Manners at a Party
Family Fun in Canadian Museum of Nature
Bring the whole family to rediscover our fully redecorated museum.
* WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Check out What’s On for all the events, educational activities and HD movies happening during your visit.Care for birds, dive down into the depths at the helm (舵柄) of a research submersible(潜水器) or explore a cave… on the first floor. Don’t miss our gallery play areas on the third floor when visiting with kids. By visiting here, your children will learn more about nature. Check out Our Exhibitions which presents our special exhibitions and our galleries.Be sure to stop at our Nature Boutique on the second floor for a vast selection of games, books and nature-related souvenirs from 9:30 am until the museum closes for the day.
* HOURS, ADMISSION, SERVICES AND MORE
Opening hours: Regular Hours (September 4 -May 31) 9 am-5pm except Monday and Thursday Summer Hours (June 1-September 2) 9 am-6 pm(Saturday-Wednesday) 9 am-8 pm(Thursday and Friday) | General Admission: Free for members. Adult: $14.50 Senior (65+): $12.50 Student (18+): $12.50 Student (13+): $12.50 Child (3–12): $10.50 Tiny Tot (0–2): Free A general admission ticket is required—even when the price is free, as it is for members and Tiny Tots—if you want to see a movie or a special exhibition. Buy a combo that includes both tickets already. Ticket combo includes general admission and a 3D movie. Adult: $18.50 Senior (65+): $16.50 Student (18+): $16.50 Student (13+): $16.50 Child (3–12): $14.50 Tiny Tot (0–2): Free Member: $3 |
Parking: Paid parking is available on the Canadian Museum of Nature grounds. Rates: $3 per half hour maximum of $14 per day (until 4:30 am) evening flat rate: $5 (4:30 pm -4:30 am) Charges accumulate (evening and next day) for vehicles that are parked overnight. |
The Canadian Museum of Nature provides a host of information, images and videos on our websites about nature, such as http://www.nature.ca/en/family-fun and http://www.expeditionarctic.ca/. The museum also participates in several social networks. Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
1.In Canadian Museum of Nature, visitors can _____________.
A. exhibit their own nature-related works
B. raise their general awareness of nature
C. be trained to drive submersibles professionally
D. buy souvenirs on the second floor as soon as it opens
2.As a member of the museum, you take your wife and two children (13 and 9) driving to pay a whole-day visit to the museum and children enjoy a 3D movie, how much should you pay at least?
A. $ 52.5 B. $ 74
C. $ 45.5 D. $ 59.5
3.What is the purpose of the last part of the text?
A. To talk about the museum’s reputation.
B. To encourage participation in developing the museum.
C. To provide some contact details of the museum.
D. To advertise upcoming events for the museum.
I used to hate running. It seemed too hard, and pushing outside my comfort zone was not what I was ________ to do. My husband Charles had been a serious competitive ________ for many years. After our marriage, he wouldn’t ________talk- ing about how much he missed it. So he picked it up again, and after about a year, I started to ________ him at the track. Just a few weeks later, Charles________ us both up for a five-kilometer race. I ________ about doing it. It was too soon.
But on race day, there I was. The gun ________. Thousands of runners pushed forward. The first kilometer was tough. “I don’t think I’m gonna make it.” I was already breathing ________ and painfully aware of the group of runners pounding past me. “No, you’re doing great,” said Charles. He was trying to encourage me, to get me focused on something else _______ my discomfort. “I can’t,” I said, barely audibly (听得见地). He tried a ________ way to persuade me. “Just make it to that house and let’s see how you __________.”
After another minute I saw the three-kilometer mark. All I could think of was that I was dying and that my husband made me _______. Miserable doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. “You’ll be fine. You’ve got less than a kilometer to go.” I rounded a corner, and saw both sides of the street ________ with people watching the race, all cheering the runners on. I willed my ________ to keep going. Then I looked up and saw the clock. The seconds ticking away gave me ______. I knew that if I ____
finished this race I would achieve something. ________, I straightened up and kicked it. I had my arms held higher when I passed through the finish line. A volunteer ________ a medal around my neck.
“You did great! I’m so proud of you!” Charles was ________ that I’d made it. “That was AMAZING! I want to do another race. This running stuff is amazing!” I proudly ________ my medal as we walked to the post-race festivities. My lungs and my comfort zone both expanded.
1.A. accepted B. permitted C. pushed D. raised
2.A. runner B. policeman C. doctor D. lawyer
3.A. regret B. mind C. stop D. forget
4.A. follow B. attend C. join D. urge
5.A. signed B. gathered C. involved D. registered
6.A. commented B. hesitated C. wondered D. enquired
7.A. went off B. went out C. broke off D. broke out
8.A. smoothly B. heavily C. quickly D. abruptly
9.A. or rather B. more than C. rather than D. better than
10.A. pleasant B. reasonable C. casual D. different
11.A. react B. describe C. feel D. realize
12.A. ashamed B. painful C. embarrassed D. nervous
13.A. rich B. loose C. ready D. thick
14.A. arms B. mind C. heart D. legs
15.A. strength B. patience C. expectation D. wisdom
16.A. formally B. immediately C. normally D. actually
17.A. However B. Therefore C. Yet D. Instead
18.A. rewarded B. handed C. put D. presented
19.A. thrilled B. amused C. shocked D. frozen
20.A. enjoyed B. hugged C. kept D. seized
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写 1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
Water makes up a big majority of your body weight because every single cell，tissue and organ needs it 1. (function)．It’s so important 2. you need to get a certain amount each day．P1ain water should be 3. (you)primary source of fluid even though juice，soda，coffee and other drinks can count towards your water intake．However，these other drinks increase your 4. (consume)of sugar，calories and caffeine in the case of soda，coffee and tea． This can make you urinate(小便)more and wind up dehydrating(脱水)you as 5. result．
Water recommendations are 6. (difference) for men and women．Men should aim for 3．7 liters，or about 125 ounces，which is a little more than 15．5 cups of water each day．It 7. (recommend)that women have 2．7 liters daily，which is roughly 91 ounces of water and a little less than 11．5 cups．If you are pregnant，this minimum requirement 8. (go)up to 3 liters，which is approximately 101 ounces or a bit 9. (much)than 12．5 cups． It increases again if you’re breast-feeding．In this case，bump up your daily fluid intake to 3．8 liters，which is equal 10. about 132 ounces．
