Are you sometimes stressed? Singing is a simple and effective way to reduce stress. It is beneficial mainly in the following three aspects.
Physical Benefits
1. This is especially recommended for the elders and those who have some form of disability in their voice. However, it is important to find a capable instructor to employ good singing techniques so as not to further damage vocal cords (声带) or lungs.
Singing also helps to improve your posture (姿势). Most people think that singing begins and ends with their mouth. 2. Singing practice will get you used to the proper body position of standing and help you form the good habit of standing straight.
Emotional Benefits
Singing helps in reducing your depression and lowering your stress level. When you sing, your body releases chemicals that make you feel happy, easing the tension and helping you to relax. 3.
Social Benefits
The social benefits of singing are huge. 4. So people who suffer from stage fright are advised to sing in front of family and friends before a live performance.
Singing is also very good for improving your communication skills. It is said that singing to babies helps to prepare their brains for language and may lessen the risk of language problems later in life. 5. The time spent in group singing, whether in a choir or at karaoke, creates a deep and lasting bond of friendship.
A. Try to regain your memory by singing.
B. First, it can help build up your confidence greatly.
C. When you sing, you can give your lungs a workout.
D Singing helps you to strengthen your immune system.
E. For adults, singing also enlarges your circle of friends.
F. In fact, the position of each body part affects your voice.
G. So, start to sing your favorite song next time you are feeling upset.
Stanford University has begun an investigation following claims that some of its staff knew long ago of Chinese scientist He Jiankui’s plans to create the world’s first gene-edited babies.
A university official said a review was under way of interactions some faculty members had with He. who was educated at Stanford. Several professors including He’s former research adviser have said that they knew or strongly suspected that He wanted to try gene editing on embryos (胚胎).
The Chinese genetic scientist posted a video on You Tube in November 2018. He claimed in the video that he had used a gene-editing tool Crispr-Cas9 to modify (修改) a particular gene in two embryos before they were placed in their mother’s womb (子宫). He, who works in a lab in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, said the twin girls, known as Lulu and Nana, were born using an egg that was modified. He focused on HIV infection prevention because the father is HIV positive. “Now the father has a reason to live, a reason to work, he has a purpose,” He said.
Editing the genes of embryos, which can change other genes, is banned in many countries because DNA changes are passed to future generations and could have unforeseen effects on the entire gene pool.
China’s national health commission ordered officials to “seriously investigate” He’s claims. Shenzhen’s health and family planning commission said it was investigating the review process around He’ s work.
Research institutions connected to He have distanced themselves from him. “This research work was carried out by Professor He Jiankui outside of the school,” said the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen. It called his research a “serious violation of academic ethics (道德)”.
1.What did He Jiankui claim in the video posted on You Tube?
A. He was wrong in trying gene editing on embryos.
B. He prevented the twins from developing cancer.
C. He modified a gene in Lulu and Nana’s embryos.
D. He was influenced by his research adviser in Stanford.
2.Why is gene editing of embryos banned in many countries?
A. The effect of DNA changes on the gene pool is unforeseeable.
B. It causes disabilities to the gene-edited babies.
C. The future generations will rely on gene editing.
D. It will affect all the healthy genes of the embryos.
3.How did the university in Shenzhen react to He’s video claim?
A. It ordered investigations to be conducted.
B. It called the incident a big shame for the nation.
C. It declared not related to He’s research.
D. It kept a distance from the media.
4.Which can be a suitable title for the text?
A. The USA Bans Gene-editing
B. What are the Ethics of Medical Treatment?
C. Scientists Find the Idea of Gene-edited Babies Crazy
D. Stanford Investigates Links to Scientist in Gene Editing
The legislature(立法机构) finds that the cigarette is considered one of the deadliest products in human history. So begins a new bill introduced in Hawaii’s State House, calling for a ban on cigarette sales in the state by 2024.
Hawaii has some of the most restrictive cigarette laws in the nation. In 2016, it became the first state to raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21. Now, its new bill calls for raising the cigarette-buying age to 30 by 2020, up to 40, 50 and 60 in each following year, and up to 100 by 2024. That would effectively clear Hawai’s store shelves of cigarettes, although tourists could still bring them in. The age limits would not apply to e-cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco.
And curiously,, Hawaii would offer its centenarians (百岁老人) the chance to buy cigarettes ear the end of their life — if they could find them
Richard Creagan, the bill’s sponsor, said that he hoped the bill could represent an “endgame” for the cigarette problem, and that it might be easier to pass the bill in Hawaii than in a mainland state.
“On the mainland they have more trouble with this because they have states around them that are selling cigarettes,” he said. “We don’t have any states around us. And that’s why I thought it could be done here, and it would be kind of an example for the rest of the nation and the world.”
Creagan told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald he’s confident that the bill will survive any court challenges.
In 2015, the National Academy of Sciences released a report arguing that increasing the age to buy tobacco to 21 would have a “considerable impact” on the age at which someone takes their first puff. The report also suggested “if someone is not a regular tobacco user by age 25, it is highly unlikely he or she will become one.”
1.What can we know about Hawaii from Paragraph 2?
A. Hawaii has no cigarette laws at present.
B. The cigarette-buying age will be 50 in 2023.
C. The age to buy cigarettes was raised to 21 in 2016.
D. All cigarette stores in the state have been closed.
2.What does the new bill call for?
A. Even tourists can’t bring cigarettes to Hawaii.
B. No one under 100 can buy cigarettes by 2024.
C. Hawaiians can’t buy cigarettes in other states.
D. Growing tobacco is not allowed in Hawaii.
3.The underlined words in the last paragraph mean “________”.
A. buys their first pack of cigarettes
B. smokes their first cigarette
C. quits smoking for the first time
D. first offers cigarettes to others
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. Hawaii is considering a bill to ban cigarette sales.
B. Hawaii will lower the cigarette-buying age.
C. Hawaii is to ban smoking in its neighboring states.
D. Hawaii has released a report on the harm of smoking.
China has entered the cinematic space race. Wandering Earth, the country’s first blockbuster science fiction film, is on track to be one of the highest-grossing (总收入) films in China’s history.
The film has brought in more than 2bn yuan (£232m) in the six days since its release on February 5. So far, it is the highest-grossing film released over the holiday season, a peak time for the Chinese box office.
Wandering Earth is based on the work of Liu Cixin, the author of the Three-Body Problem series and the first Chinese author to win a Hugo award.
“Wandering Earth fills the gap in Chinese science fiction movies. It means that China’s science fiction movies have officially set sail,” one fan of the film wrote on the review site Douban.
The film is seen by some as the dawn of Chinese sci-fi — a genre that has long been led by Hollywood. Several other Chinese-made sci-fi films are due to debut (首映) this year, including Shanghai Fortress, about an alien invasion, and Pathfinder, which follows a spaceship that has crashed on a deserted planet.
Frant Gwo, the director of Wandering Earth, said, “2019 could be remembered as year zero of Chinese science-fiction blockbusters. It is not just about one successful movie but about multiple films.”
Critics of the film have pointed out the plot holes and the one-dimensional female characters — something Wandering Earth shares with its Hollywood peers.
In response to plot criticisms about the necessity of ejecting (喷射) Earth from the solar system, Liu said: “Of course we don’t need to escape soon. That’s why it’s a movie instead of a real-life crisis.”
1.Wandering Earth has become China’s ________.
A. first blockbuster sci-fi film B. highest-grossing film
C. only sci-fi film this year D. first sci-fi film to win an award
2.What is the fan’s attitude toward the film according to Paragraph 4?
A. Doubtful. B. Negative.
C. Praiseful. D. Uncaring.
3.Which aspect do the critics think is a shortcoming of the film?
A. The theory. B. The ending.
C. The special effects. D. The plot holes.
Barcelona Ciclo Tour, 1 of the 10 best bike tours in the world!
Gaudi, the ancient streets of the gothic quarter, the multi-cultural district of El Raval. the beaches and modernism buildings, by bike!
The Daily Barcelona Bike Tour
The best way to see Barcelona is by bike! Enjoy Barcelona’s most popular sights including: the works of Gaudi including the Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral and Roman City walls, Pare Ciutadella, the beaches and much more, all in a relaxing tour with 17 stops.
In English, our trained guides tell the fascinating truth and stories behind Barcelona’s most famous buildings and many hidden secrets.
No previous reservation needed. Just come along to experience the real Barcelona as you discover the whole city by bike.
Things prepared for you
● 1 bike per person
● 3.5-hour tour with guide
● A free bottle of water
● A free drink at a beach café
● A handlebar-bag for personal belongings
● Free helmets and child seats available on request
What do you need to bring? As little as possible: comfortable clothes, some money and a camera. We can also store your backpack safely in a locker.
Tour times
● 11:00 am Morning Tour
Every day of the year except December 25 and January 1.
● 4:30 pm Afternoon Tour
Every day from April 15 to October 31.
● 7: 30 pm Night Tour
Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June I to September 30 and every Friday and Saturday in October.
Departure point
Placa Catalunya, at the door of Hard Rock Café
Watch for our guides in their Ciclo Tour T-shirts. Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.
Contact us
If you are coming to Barcelona, do not hesitate to contact us for a quote, We would be happy to prepare a bike tour for you.
Tel: +34 933 171 970
1.According to the text, which is included in the bike tour?
A. A Spanish-speaking tour guide.
B. A free meal in a local restaurant.
C. Free admission to 17 popular sights.
D. A free bag for personal use.
2.If you travel to Barcelona during the Spring Festival, which tour can you choose?
A. The 11: 00 am Morning Tour.
B. The 4: 30 pm Afternoon Tour.
C. The 7: 30 pm Night Tour.
D. None of the above.
3.To join in the bike tour, what do you need to do?
A. Buy a helmet and bring a bottle of water.
B. Pay for the tour at least one day in advance.
C. Come to the departure point 10 minutes early.
D. Get a T-shirt from the tour guide when you arrive.
4.What is the text intended as?
A. A travel tip. B. A tour ad.
C. A travel journal. D. A tour schedule.
假如你是高三学生李华，三月初你在网上买了一件夹克（jacket），打算送给妈妈作为“三八妇女节”的礼物。但到货后发现了下列一些问题，请给该网站写一封投诉信，投诉信内容如下表：
要点：
1.介绍购物情况； 2. 反映存在问题； 3.提出解决方案。
注意:
1.书信内容包括以上要点；
2.词数100左右(书信格式已给出，不计入总词数)；
3.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Sir or Madam,
I’m writing to complain about the jacket which I bought from your website. This morning I received the jacket on time, but__________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am looking forward to your early reply.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
