“The calm before the storm” is a very familiar expression. It is usually used to describe a peaceful period just before a very stressful situation or a tense argument. 1. They noted that before certain storms the seas would seem to become calm and the winds would drop.
But why is it often so calm before a storm? 2. According to US website HowStuffWorks, a calm period occurs because many storms, tornadoes and hurricanes draw in all the warm and damp air from the surrounding area. As this air rises into the storm clouds, it cools and acts as “ fuel for the storm ,like petrol in a car. “
Once the storm has taken all the energy it can from the air, it is pushed out from the top of the storm clouds and falls back down to ground level. 3. So once it covers an area, it causes a calm period before the storm.
4. First count how many seconds there are between a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, roughly three seconds equal one kilometer. A good judgement is that if your count is below 30 seconds, you should seek shelter straight away.
However, due to the complexity of storm system ,calm doesn't always go first. So, your best bet is to keep yourself updated with weather reports for any predictions regarding a coming storm in your area. 5.
A. Science has given us the answer.
B. There is no definite answer to the question.
C. Weather reports sometimes cannot be trusted.
D. British sailors coined the phrase in the late l600s.
E. As the air declines, it becomes warm and dry, which is stable.
F. The Weather Network has a tip for working out how far away a storm is.
G. That's the most reliable way to predict the next display of nature's temper.
Benefits and Problems of Genetic Engineering
Plant breeding is the science of changing the characteristics of plants in order to produce desired ones. Genes in a plant are what determine what type of characteristics it will have. Plant breeders try to create a specific outcome of plants and potentially new plant varieties by changing the genes of the plants through breeding, which is making new plants from parents of different varieties or species.
Actually, plant breeding has been practiced for thousands of years, since near the beginning of human civilization. It is practiced worldwide by individuals such as gardeners and farmers and by professional plant breeders employed by organizations such as government institutions, universities, crop-specific industry associations or research centers. They have crossbred plants to create the new types of plants that are, for example, bigger, stronger, or more attractive.
Crossbreeding can take such a long time, however, and it is inaccurate. Now, we can change exact sections of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), so the process is more accurate and faster. But people all over the world are arguing about its benefits and disadvantages. Some people use the technology to produce desired characteristics of plants and animals. Other people are concerned that the genetically engineered plants may harm the environment and worried that they may be dangerous for people to eat.
There are many reasons for changing plants in this way. International development agencies believe that breeding new crops is important for ensuring food security by developing new varieties that are higher yielding(高产的), disease resistant, drought tolerant or regionally adapted to different environments and growing conditions. For example, some genetically engineered plants can live through frost or draught. As a result, famers can make more profit because fewer plants will die.
Some genetically engineered plants are more nutritious. They have less fat, taste better or stay fresher than non-genetically engineered plants. This will allow people to buy better-quality fruit and vegetables.
Some genetically engineered plants can resist natural pests such as viruses or insects. This reduces the amount of chemical needed to kill pests, which is helpful to the environment.
However, genetically engineered plants can cause unexpected problems. Genetically engineered plants that resist pests may pass on that characteristic to a wild relative. This may cause the wild plant to spread fast, because pests are not naturally killing it.
Genetically engineered plants can also harm animals. A type of corn has been developed which kills a species of insect that destroys it. The pollen (花粉) from this corn, however, can also kill monarch butterflies—the most beautiful of all butterflies, which do not harm the corn.
To ensure the most adapted varieties are identified, advocates of organic breeding now promote the use of direct selection for many desired characteristics.
Genetic engineering is a very new science and we have a lot to learn about the good it can do and the damage it can cause. The main concern is that not enough tests are being done to ensure it is safe.
1.According to the passage, the purpose of plant breeding is to _______.
A.beautify the environment B.change the genes of plants
C.produce new plant varieties D.assess the value of the practice
2.The author thinks crossbreeding inaccurate because _______.
A.the sections of DNA are changed
B.problems are sometimes caused
C.manpower and resources are wasted
D.animals are produced using the technology
3.The author’s attitude toward crossbreeding is _______.
A.doubtful B.disapproving
C.objective D.supportive
4.Which of the following best shows the structure of the passage?
Sp：Sub-point （次要点） C：Conclusion
I：Introduction Cp：Central Point P：Point
A.
B.
C.
D.
Learning, Fast and Deep
Over the past five years researchers in artificial intelligence have become the rock stars of the technology world. A branch of AI known as deep learning, which uses neural(神经的) networks to scan through large volumes of data looking for patterns, has proven so useful that skilled practitioners can command high six-figure salaries to build software for Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google.
The standard route into these jobs has been a PhD in computer science from one of America’s top universities. Earning one takes years and requires a personality suited to academia, which is rare among more normal folk.
That is changing.
Last month fast.ai, a non-profit education organization based in San Francisco, kicked off the third year of its course in deep learning. Since its foundation it has attracted more than 100,000 students around the globe from India to Nigeria. The course and others like it, come with a simple idea: there is no need to spend years obtaining a PhD in order to practise deep learning. Creating software that learns can be taught as a craft, not as a high intellectual pursuit to be undertaken only in an ivory tower. Fast.ai’s course can be completed in just seven weeks.
To make it accessible to anyone who wants to learn how to build AI software is the aim of Jeremy Howard, who founded fast.ai with Rachel Thomas, a mathematician. He says school mathematics is sufficient. “No. Greek. Letters,” Mr. Howard intones, pounding the table with his fist for punctuation.
Some experts worry that this will serve only to create a flood of unreliable AI systems which will be useless at best and dangerous at worst. In the earliest days of the Internet, only a select few nerds, namely computerholics with specific skills, could build applications. Not many people used them. Then the invention of the World Wide Web led to an explosion of web pages, both good and bad. But it was only by opening up to all that the Internet gave birth to online shopping, instant global communications and search. If Mr. Howard and others have their way, making the development of AI software easier will bring forth a new crop of fruit of a different kind.
1.What can we learn about deep learning?
A.It replaces artificial intelligence.
B.It attracts rock stars to practice.
C.It scans patterns for large companies.
D.It helps technicians to create software.
2.Fast.ai is an organization that __________________.
A.ensures one to obtain a PhD B.teaches craft in ivory tower
C.offers a course in deep learning D.requires weeks to apply
3.The underlined words “No. Greek. Letters”in Paragraph 5 means doing fast.ai course is _______.
A.easy B.difficult
C.interesting D.boring
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that _______.
A.it is quite reliable for anyone to grasp artificial intelligence
B.the Internet has brought forth a flood of useless AI systems
C.opening up to all leads to instant global search and online shopping
D.simplifying software development may result in unexpected outcomes
If your life were a book and you were the author, how would you want your story to go? That’s the question that changed my life forever.
At the age of 19, I became a massage therapist(治疗师). For the first time in my life, I felt free, independent and completely in control of my life. That is, until my life took a detour. I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis . Over the course of two months, I lost my spleen(脾) , my kidneys , and both of my legs below the knees.
One day, I went home. I crawled into bed and this is what my life looked like for the next few months: me passed out, escaping from reality, with my legs resting by my side. I was completely physically and emotionally broken. But I knew that in order to move forward, I had to let go of the old Amy and learn to embrace the new Amy. And that is when I began to realize that I didn’t have to be small any more. I could be as tall as I wanted or as short as I wanted depending on whom I was dating. And if I snowboard again, my feet aren’t going to get cold. And the best of all, I thought, I can make my feet the size of all the shoes that are on the sales shelf. And I did!
I started snowboarding. Then I went back to work. And then I co-founded a non-profit organization for physical disabilities so that they could get involved in action sports. And just this past February, I won two World Cup gold medals, making me the highest-ranked adaptive female snowboarder in the world.
Eleven years ago, when I lost my legs, I had no idea what to expect. But if you ask me today, if I would ever want to change my situation, I would have to say no, because my legs haven’t disabled me. They’ve forced me to rely on my imagination and to believe in possibilities, and that’s why I believe that our imaginations can be used as tools for breaking through borders, because in our minds, we can do anything and we can be anything. It’s belief in those dreams and facing our fears directly that allow us to live our lives beyond our limits.
1.What can we learn from the underlined sentence in Paragraph3?
A.The author no longer wanted to make friends with Amy.
B.The author realized she had to learn to accept a new “herself” gladly.
C.The author wanted a new friend in her new life eagerly.
D.The author felt hard to choose between the old Amy and the new Amy.
2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A.The author didn’t like her job as a massage therapist.
B.The author is still very sensitive to her disabilities.
C.The author has learnt to see her disabilities as blessings.
D.The author hopes to return to her old life.
3.What message does the author want to convey with her speech?
A.Roman is not built in one day.
B.Failure is the mother of success
C.Imagination is more important than knowledge.
D.It is not what happens to you but how you respond that counts.
4.The tone of the passage is best described as ________.
A.proud but stubborn B.interesting but regretful
C.optimistic and inspiring D.pessimistic and doubtful
Adult Education Courses
Computer Studies Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and we rely more and more on computers for everything from cooking to organising our taxes. This six-week course will give you an understanding of computer fundamentals, including the use of software packages (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and how to use the Internet. Start: May 2,2019 Time: Wed 7 pm-9pm Cost:$300 Length:6 weeks Place: Sydney College | Woodwork Learn the basics of woodworking with simple hands-on projects to build your confidence and skills. Each lesson explores a different area of woodworking that will provide you with the skills needed for any woodworking project. Flexible learning allows you to choose only the lessons that interest you. Start: April 15,2019 Time: Mon 5 pm-7pm Cost:$30 per lesson Length:12 weeks Place: Adult Learning Centre |
Web Design Provides advanced training in software, design, and coding for the weB. Students must have already completed a recognised basic web design course or have at least 2 years' relevant work experience. Students completing the course will receive the Diploma in Advanced Web Design. Start: June 1,2019 Time: Weekdays 9 am-4pm Cost:$4,990 Length:40 weeks Place: University of Technology | Art This practical course is intended to help established artists take their creativity further. From sketching and colour, to composition, painting and experimenting with style, you will study and explore an engaging variety of creative media and subject matter. Start: April 21,2019 Time: Thur 3 pm-6pm Cost:$750 Length:15 weeks Place: City Art |
1.Which courses are suitable for beginners?
A.Web Design and Art.
B.Computer Studies and Art.
C.Woodwork and Web Design.
D.Computer Studies and Woodwork.
2.Which course awards students an official certificate?
A.Art.
B.Woodwork.
C.Web Design.
D.Computer Studies.
3.How much will a student who attends only half of all the Woodwork lessons pay in total?
A.$30. B.$180.
C.$250. D.$360.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did the speaker decide to do after lunch that day?
A.Stay to help her friend. B.Walk alone to her car. C.Wait for the train to stop.
2.What can we learn about the speaker then?
A.She worked at a hotel. B.She had bought a new car. C.She was having a baby soon.
3.Where did the speaker meet the taxi passenger?
A.At a crossroads. B.In front of a hotel. C.Besides a car park.
4.What does the speaker talk about?
A.An exciting lunch party. B.A well-known short story. C.An unforgettable experience.
