请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意:每个空格只填1个单词。
Human love isn’t neatly ordered or easily predictable. But that doesn’t mean that mathematics hasn’t got something because, love, as with most of life, is full of patterns. Mathematics is, basically, all about the study of pattern, patterns from predicting the weather to the fluctuations(起伏) in the stock market, to the movement of the planets or the growth of cities. And if we’re being honest, none of those things are exactly neatly ordered and easily predictable, either.
So let us talk about how to pick a perfect partner using a hit of mathematics that is called Optimal Stopping Theory.
Imagine that you start dating when you’re 15 and ideally, you’d like to be married by the time that you’re 35. And there’s a number of people that you could potentially date across your lifetime, and they’ll be at varying levels of goodness. The math says then that what you should do in the first 37 percent of your dating window, you should just reject everybody as serious marriage potential. And then, you should pick the next person that is better than everybody that you’ve seen before. If you do this, it can be mathematically proven, in fact, that this is the best possible way of maximizing your chances of finding the perfect partner.
But unfortunately, I have to tell you that this method does come with some risks.
For instance, imagine if your perfect partner appeared during your first 37 percent. Now, unfortunately, you’d have to reject them. Now, if you’re following the maths, I’m afraid no one else will appear that’s better than anyone you’ve seen before, so you have to go on rejecting everyone and die alone.
Okay, another risk is, let’s imagine, instead, that the first people that you dated in your first 37 percent are just incredibly dull, boring, terrible people. Now, that’s okay, because you’re in your rejection phase. But then imagine, the next person to come along is just slightly less boring, dull and terrible than everybody that you’ve seen before. Now, if you are following the maths, I’m afraid you have to marry them and end up in a relationship which is, frankly, not most satisfying.
Okay, so this method doesn’t give you a 100 percent success rate, but there’s no other possible strategy that can do any better.
And actually, I also think that subconsciously, humans, we do sort of do this anyway. We give ourselves a little bit of time to play the field, get a feel for the marketplace or whatever when we’re young. And then we only start looking seriously at potential marriage candidates once we hit our mid-to-late 20s. I think this is convincing proof, if ever it were needed, that everybody’s brains are prewired(天生的)to be just a little bit mathematical. Therefore, it can be mathematically proven that this is the best way to find the perfect partner.
Title: The Mathematics of Love | |
Main Points | Supporting Details |
The reason mathematics can help with human love | ● Love is full of unpredictable patterns. ● Mathematics 1. patterns that are not neatly ordered. |
The best 2. way to pick a perfect partner | Pick 3. of the first 37 percent, and then choose the next better person that comes along. |
4. coming with the Optimal Stopping Theory | (1) Cause: Your perfect partner is rejected when he/she appears during the first 37. Result: You will die alone as you will reject anyone coming 5. . (2) Cause: The next person is slightly 6. than any of the first 37 percent, who you have rejected and who are just incredibly terrible. Result: Following the maths, you have to choose him/her, 7. in a partner not most satisfying. |
8. the Optimal Stopping Theory is the best strategy | ● Subconsciously, human play the field before seriously starting looking for a potential person for 9. . ● Human brains are naturally mathematical because we often 10. some time getting a feel for the marketplace before making serious decisions. |
I never soon the night nor seen a star; I’ve seen neither spring nor fall nor winter. I was born at the end of the Reining Age(刹车时代), just as the Earth’s rotation(旋转)was coming to a final stop.
The Reining lasted for 42 years, three years longer than the Unity Government had planned. My mother once told me about the time our family witnessed the last sunset. The Sun had ever so slowly crept toward the horizon, almost as if it had stopped moving altogether. In the end, it took three days and three nights to finally set. Naturally, that was the end of all “days” and all “nights”. The Eastern Hemisphere(半球)was covered in weak light for a long time then, perhaps for a dozen years or so - with the Sun hiding just beyond the horizon - its rays reflected by half of the sky. It was during that long sunset that I was born.
Dusk did not mean darkness. The Northern Hemisphere was lit up by the Earth Engines. These giant engines had been raised all across Asia and North America; only the solid plates beneath those two continents could resist the great pushing forces they exerted. There were about 12,000 Earth Engines built and distributed across the Asian and American plains.
From my home 1 could see the bright plasma plumes(等离子气柱)of several hundred Earth Engines. Just imagine a titanic palace, one as large as the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Now imagine countless titanic pillars rising from that palace, reaching to the heavens, each releasing brilliant, bluish-white light like a titanic shining tube. And then there is you; you are a microbe on the palace’s floor. This only begins to paint the picture of the world we lived in.
This picture, however, is not yet complete. In order to survive the melting temperature of the expanding sun, we have to push the Earth away from it. First, the Earth must be stopped from rotating. Only the forces acting tangentially(正切地)to the Earth’s rotation could slow it, so the Earth Engines had to be built to a specific angle. Those gigantic pillars of light were leaning to that angle. Now imagine what that meant for our palace, with its pillars all leaning on the point of falling down! Many who came from the Southern Hemisphere went mad when suddenly seeing this awesome view.
Worse than the view was the burning heat released by the Earth Engines. Outdoors the temperature was stuck at around 160 to 180 degrees, forcing us to wear special suits just to leave the house. The extremely high temperatures often brought pouring rains. It was always a terrifying scene when the beam of an Earth Engine cut through dark clouds. The clouds scattered the brilliant, bluish-white light of the beam, erupting it into endless rainbow light that covered the entire sky like white-hot magma(岩浆).
To my generation, born in the Northern Hemisphere, all of this was perfectly normal and natural, just like the Sun, stars and Moon had been to generations before the Reining Age. We called the entire history of the human race that had come before us the Pre-Solar Age; what a fascinating and golden era that had truly been!
The Reining Age left the earth with a horrifying result. The sea tides, quickened by the Earth Engines, had swallowed two out of every three cities in the Northern Hemisphere; then the global increase in temperatures melted the polar icecap, resulting in floods that spread to the Southern Hemisphere. Thirty years earlier my grandfather had witnessed giant 300-foot waves that had engulfed Shanghai. Even now, he could never tell us about it without his gaze slipping into a thousand-mile stare.
Our planet had already changed beyond recognition before it even set out on its journey. Who knew what hardships were waiting for us on our long travels through outer space?
1.What happened when the author was born?
A. The earth had stopped turning for forty-two years.
B. The sun was making its last fall towards the horizon.
C. All the Earth Engines had not been finished.
D. His family were suffering from the summer hotness.
2.Which of the following about the Earth Engines is right?
A. They were built in Asia and North America due to their huge number and weight.
B. Their light and heat provided necessary energy for people to survive.
C. They were all built to point straight upward to the sky to stop the earth rotating.
D. Their existence brought both opportunities and inconvenience to people on the earth.
3.What can we infer from the last three paragraphs?
A. People born in the Southern Hemisphere could enjoy four different seasons.
B. The author missed his Pre-Solar Age lifestyle very much.
C. Grandfather would never forget the scene of Shanghai being swallowed.
D. The author was discouraged but optimistic about the future of the earth.
4.In this excerpt(节选)we can clearly see that the author is good at __________.
A. describing mental activities B. visualizing vivid scenes
C. doing experimental analysis D. expressing personal belief
5.This excerpt is a part of __________.
A. a documentary novel B. an academic essay
C. a scientific research report D. a science fiction
6.What is the best title of this chapter?
A. The Last Sunset. B. The Earth Engines. C. The Reining Age. D. The Post-Solar Life.
Our home galaxy(星系), the Milky Way, makes for a pretty space picture, and it looks normal at a distance. But a new 3D map reveals a surprise:_______________________________.
The Milky Way is a spiral(漩涡型的) galaxy, in which stars and gas clouds exist mainly in its spiral “arms”. Our massive neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy(仙女座), is also spiral. Spiral galaxies usually appear very flat and easy to see through a telescope, said the researchers.
Using 1,339 large, pulsating(脉冲的) stars to make a 3D map of the Milky Way, researchers discovered instead that the galaxy’s disk of stars is increasingly twisting，most likely due to the spinning of the disk. And the farther the stars are from the center, the more twisted it becomes.
Previously, astronomers saw evidence of hydrogen clouds becoming warped(弯曲的)in the Milky Way This isn’t completely abnormal, because astronomers have noticed the same pattern of progressively twisting spirals in about a dozen other galaxies. But it does help them make more sense of our galaxy.
Because we live in this galaxy, that makes it harder to observe, and dust and starlight make it even more difficult when using telescopes. Trying to determine what our galactic center looks like is similar to trying to find the center of a forest you’re standing in.
“It is extremely difficult to determine distances from the Sun to parts of the Milky Way’s outer gas disk without having a clear idea of what that disk actually looks like,” lead study author Xiaodian Chen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing said in a statement.
From afar, the Milky Way appears like a thin rotating(旋转的) disk of stars, orbiting the center every few hundred million years. In the center, hundreds of billions of stars and dark matter hold the galaxy together.
But as you move toward the outermost reaches of the galaxy, the gravitational glue of the center fades. In the outer disk, this keeps hydrogen gas from being restricted, which contributes to an S-shaped warping.
“Somewhat to our surprise, we found that in 3D our collection of 1339 stars and the Milky Way’s gas disk follow each other closely. This offers new insights into the formation of our home galaxy,” Richard de Grijs, senior study co-author and professor at Macquarie University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, said in a statement. “Perhaps more importantly, in the Milky Way’s outer regions, we found that the S-like stellar(星的)disk is warped in a progressively Twisted spiral pattern.”
So the massive inner disk’s rotational force causes the outer disk to warp, the researchers concluded.
“This research provides a crucial updated map for studies of our galaxy’s stellar motions and the origins of the Milky Way,” said Licai Deng, co-author and senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in a statement.
1.Which of the following might be the missing sentence in the first paragraph?
A. The Milky Way is being warped and twisted by its stars.
B. The Milky Way is spiral and orbiting itself all the time.
C. The formation of our home galaxy is due to the force of gravity.
D. The origin of the Milky Way lies in its rotational force.
2.What does the underlined “this” refer to?
A. the Milky Way B. the gravitational glue
C. the fading of gravity D. the outermost reach of the galaxy
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. The galaxy we live in is unique for its special spirals.
B. The stars in the center of the Milky Way are more twisted.
C. The distance from the sun to other stars is already known to scientists.
D. The rotation of its inner center forces the Milky Way to twist.
4.What is the significance of this finding?
A. It reveals why the Milky Way is a flat and spiral galaxy.
B. It leads to a breakthrough of using 3D technology in space research.
C. It proves a previous way of observing the Milky Way while we are living in it.
D. It contributes to our knowledge about the Milky Way.
One of the deepest teachings of Confucius may have valued personal exemplification above clearly expressed rules of behavior. His moral teachings emphasized self-cultivation(培养), imitation: of moral exemplars, and the attainment of skilled judgment rather than knowledge of rules. His teachings rarely rely on reasoned argument, and moral ideals and methods are conveyed indirectly. His teachings require examination and context to be understood. A good example is found in this famous anecdote:
廄焚。子退朝，曰:“傷人乎？”不問馬。
When the stables were burnt down, on returning from court Confucius said, “Was anyone hurt? ” He did not ask about the horses.
X.11 (tr. Waley), 10-13(tr. Legge), or X-17(tr. Lau)
By not asking about the horses, Confucius demonstrates that the sage(圣人)values human beings over property, but not directly; readers are led to reflect on whether their response would follow Confucius’s and to pursue self-improvement if it would not have. Confucius, as an exemplar of human excellence, serves not as an all-powerful deity(神人)or a universally true set of abstract principles, but rather the best model for others. For these reasons, according to many commentators, Confucius's teachings may be considered a Chinese example of humanism.
One of his teachings was a variant(变体)of the Golden Rule, sometimes called the “Silver Rule” owing to its negative form:
己所不欲，勿施於人。
“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.”
子貢問曰:“有一言而可以終身行之者乎?”子曰:‘‘其恕乎！己所不欲、勿施於人。”
Zi Gong [a disciple] asked: “Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?”
The Master replied: “How about ‘reciprocity’! Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. ”
Analects XV.24, tr. David Hinton
Often overlooked in Confucian morals are the virtues to the self: sincerity and the cultivation of knowledge. Virtuous action towards others begins with virtuous and sincere thought, which begins with knowledge. A virtuous nature without knowledge is likely to be influenced by corruption, and virtuous action without sincerity is not true righteousness(正义). Cultivating knowledge and sincerity is also important for one’s own sake; the superior person loves learning for the sake of learning and righteousness for the sake of righteousness.
1.The horse example in the first paragraph is to show that Confucius ____________.
A. paid much attention to moral teachings
B. meant others to understand his teachings by self-reflection
C. directly demonstrated his emphasis on human beings
D. never inhumanly forced others to do what he didn’t like to do
2.What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?
A. The importance of the virtues to the self.
B. How to define the virtues to the self.
C. The relationship between sincerity and knowledge.
D. Why the virtues of the self are often overlooked.
3.Which of the following principles of Confucius is mentioned in this passage?
A. Example is better than teaching.
B. He who practices virtues will have neighbors and friends.
C. Keep what you say and carry out what you do.
D. By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wild apart.
Changzhou government just announced new policies for e-Bikes, especially for those who have not registered their vehicles. It’s the last chance for you to register before 15 April, 2019.
1. standardize the production and sales of e-Bikes
※ Since April 15，2019，electric bicycle products that do not meet the new national standard and have not obtained the China Compulsory Certification (CCC certification) are not allowed to be shipped or sold.
2. standardize the registration of electric bicycles
※ Before April 15, 2019, everyone with their valid ID card can go to the nearest electric bicycle license sales point to register their unlicensed electric bicycles and be issued the unified electric bicycle number plate for free.
※ Encourage electric bike owners to take out third-party liability(责任)insurance for electric bicycles.
3. standardize the safety management of e-Bikes
※ The transition(过渡)period management is carried out for electric bicycles that receive temporary permit cards (those may not agree with new national standard). The transition period starts from April 15, 2019 and is due on April 14, 2024. It is not allowed to ride on the road after the transition period.
※ Investigate the illegal traffic behaviors such as unlicensed roads, red lights, cross-line parking, reverse driving, driving on motor vehicle lane, speeding, and other traffic violations according to the law, and take pictures of illegal behavior by using the electronic camera, face recognition and other technical means to carry out on-site law enforcement.
※ Perfect the transportation credit-management system, and ensure on-site law enforcement.
Announced by:
Changzhou Public Security Bureau
Changzhou Industrial and Information Technology Bureau
Changzhou Municipal Market Supervision Administration
15 March, 2019
Changzhou government just announced new policies for e-Bikes, especially for those who have not registered their vehicles. It’s the last chance for you to register before 15 April, 2019.
1. standardize the production and sales of e-Bikes
※ Since April 15，2019，electric bicycle products that do not meet the new national standard and have not obtained the China Compulsory Certification (CCC certification) are not allowed to be shipped or sold.
2. standardize the registration of electric bicycles
※ Before April 15, 2019, everyone with their valid ID card can go to the nearest electric bicycle license sales point to register their unlicensed electric bicycles and be issued the unified electric bicycle number plate for free.
※ Encourage electric bike owners to take out third-party liability(责任)insurance for electric bicycles.
3. standardize the safety management of e-Bikes
※ The transition(过渡)period management is carried out for electric bicycles that receive temporary permit cards (those may not agree with new national standard). The transition period starts from April 15, 2019 and is due on April 14, 2024. It is not allowed to ride on the road after the transition period.
※ Investigate the illegal traffic behaviors such as unlicensed roads, red lights, cross-line parking, reverse driving, driving on motor vehicle lane, speeding, and other traffic violations according to the law, and take pictures of illegal behavior by using the electronic camera, face recognition and other technical means to carry out on-site law enforcement.
※ Perfect the transportation credit-management system, and ensure on-site law enforcement.
Announced by:
Changzhou Public Security Bureau
Changzhou Industrial and Information Technology Bureau
Changzhou Municipal Market Supervision Administration
15 March, 2019
1.What must you do if you drive an e-bike legally in Changzhou after April 15, 2019 ?
A. Buy a new e-Bike meeting the new national standard before April 15, 20)9.
B. Pay to register your unlicensed e-Bike before April 15, 2019.
C. Take out third-party liability insurance for your e-Bike before April 15, 2019.
D. Obtain an e-Bike number plate or a temporary permit curd before April 15, 2019.
2.From the announcement we know that _____.
A. the transition period for registration is five years long
B. six illegal traffic behaviors will be specially investigated
C. high technology will be used for law enforcement on the spot
D. the announcement is made for the sake of economic development
As Ryan Lee Cox was waiting to pay for his coffee order at an Indiana, US fast food drive-through, he decided to try something he5d seen on a TV news show - he paid for the coffee order of the driver in the car behind. The small ___ made the young businessperson feel ____ , so he shared his experience on Facebook. An old friend suggested that __ paying for peopled coffee, Ryan put that money towards helping school students pay off their delinquent(拖欠税款的)school lunch accounts. Sometimes because of ____ hardship, the accounts fall into __ balance and the kids suffer. She got the idea after hearing that a Utah student was __ lunch.
So the following week Ryan visited his nephew5s school ____ and asked if he could give some help, and ____ $100. Impressed by his ___, the supervisor began ____ fines before Ryan asked what the entire school’s balance for lunches was. It was $1261.98. “I’ll see you next Friday,” he told the supervisor.
When he got home, Ryan shared what he had done on social ____, and that he ____ to help Lakeside Elementary have no lunch accounts in the negative. He set up a bank account and encouraged people to __. Their target was ____ in a matter of days. With more than enough money to pay for Lakeside, Ryan ___ another school.
Within two weeks they had ___ $4142.82 and were able to help four schools. Inspired by people’s __，Ryan organized a non-profit called Feed the Kids, Inc., which __ a website, www.kidslunches.org, for people to start ___ for specific schools or to set up repeated payments to ___ a student. Today, this “paying it forward” organization is onto its fifth school.
1.A. gesture B. reaction C. proposal D. request
2.A. awkward B. annoyed C. great D. inspired
3.A. rather than B. due to C. apart from D. along with
4.A. artificial B. economic C. unconscious D. controversial
5.A. negative B. beneficial C. transparent D. delicate
6.A. awarded B. paid C. required D. denied
7.A. cafeteria B. facility C. dormitory D. website
8.A. handed out B. handed in C. handed over D. handed on
9.A. curiosity B. generosity C. purity D. reliability
10.A. taking off B. putting off C. paying off D. letting off
11.A. context B. club C. system D. media
12.A. ended B. pretended C. extended D. intended
13.A. donate B. check C. invest D. deposit
14.A. arranged B. reached C. aimed D. missed
15.A. conducted B. contacted C. constructed D. controlled
16.A. saved B. spent C. raised D. earned
17.A. enthusiasm B. appeal C. demand D. emotion
18.A. checks B. searches C. visits D. offers
19.A. campaigns B. recreations C. ambitions D. profits
20.A. defend B. educate C. sponsor D. encourage
