What’s next after the smartphone?
Humans can play tricks today that magicians couldn’t have imagined 50 years ago. Armed with only a tiny device today, our smartphone allows us to access a lifetime’s worth of information, connect with anyone in real time even if they are miles away. But the most astonishing part of this technological “magic” is the speed at which new opportunities and experiences are coming out.
For generations, we have seen the inevitable connection between humans and technology as advancements are applied to serve us and improve our quality of life. And the rate of technological progress is doubling every year.
Twenty years ago, who would have thought that we would be walking with robots and cyborgs (半人半机器的生物)? With the development of technology, we humans are accepting digital technologies to improve and expand our senses and abilities. Take Moon Ribs and Neil Harbison for example. They are both cyborgs, with Ribs having a chip put into her arm so she can feel earthquakes all around the world in real time and Harbison, who is color blind, has an antenna (天线) put into his head to allow him to be aware of visible and invisible colors via sound waves.
This is only the beginning. As we continue to spend more time with machines, the more they will become embedded (嵌入) in our lives. Technology already feels like it has a mind of its own, and over the next two decades, this will become even more pronounced.
Machines will eventually become as intelligent as us, and, while today they may just live in our pockets, tomorrow they could be in our blood stream and our minds, linking us to the cloud. And as this gap separating humans and machines continues to close, we will reach a point where they can be hardly identified. Technology and humanity will fuse (融合) together some day in the near future.
1.The first paragraph of the passage is intended to tell readers _____.
A.smartphone brings us convenience and lifetime’s worth of information
B.the magical and powerful functions of smartphone
C.the most astonishing technological magic of smartphone
D.new opportunities and experiences are approaching at a high speed
2.The writer of this passage takes Moon Ribas and Neil Harbisson for example to _____.
A.make a comparison between the two of them
B.introduce the founders of the Cyborg Foundation
C.prove they are much more intelligent than human beings
D.show that machines has become embedded in human lives
3.Neil Harbison is a cyborg that can _____.
A.help human to create other cyborgs
B.sense colours by using sound waves
C.see both visible and invisible colours
D.feel earthquakes all around the world
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.The new technologies related to smartphone in the near future.
B.Machines will eventually become as intelligent as human beings.
C.The future tendency that technology and humanity will fuse together.
D.We are reaching a point where we can’t tell technologies and machines apart.
Tourists are strongly advised to consult an etiquette(礼仪) guide before visiting Thailand’s honored temple. The list of taboos is very long and the country’s ruling group is strict- do not turn your back on a Buddha statue, the Bangkok Post cautions. Don’t wear sleeveless tops to the temples, or show your knees. Remove shoes when tour the Wat Pho Royal Monastery.
Last week Joseph and Travis Dasilvas from California were in Bangkok where they encountered the Temple of Dawn.They took “butt photos” there and posted them in Instagram.
“They didn’t know it was a temple.” the house sitter told NBC “ It is just like a building”
Most of Thailand didn’t see it the way. Certainly not Sudarat Wajanasiri, who shared the Dasilvas’ photo on Facebook over the weekend, adding” I got no words to rip them”
A commenter attempted to figure out what drove two men to moon a holy site, discovering that traveling butt photos are something of a cultural tradition in west countries that the Americans may not have meant to offend.
Thai immigration officials put the men on a watch list after seeing the photo, according to BBC. The “Travelling Butts” account was deleted from Instagram. Police prevented both men at a Bangkok airport on Tuesday from leaving the country, BBC reported. They face a ＄150 fine and punishment of never coming to Thailand. But a police had accused them, which could put them in jail for up to five years,
A commissioner(行政长官) told San Diego Gay &Lesibian News that she had reached out to the U.S government to help the men, who could not be reached by the Washington Post. Their house sitter, told NBC7 that they were trying to find a lawyer in Thailand, and no idea if or when the Traveling Butts would come here.
1.What does the underlined word “taboos” probably means?
A.The tourist attractions you can go to
B.Things that are not allowed to do
C.Tourists from all over the world
D.The etiquette guides you can turn to
2.Tourists visiting Thailand should _____
A.visit Buddha statue first
B.enter some temples with shoes on
C.show their knees in the temples
D.follow the customs of Thailand
3.What is the attitude of most Thai’s towards Joseph and Dasilvas’ behaviour?
A.Indifferent B.Negative C.Unbearable D.Curious
4.What can be learned from the last two paragraphs?
A.Joseph and Dasilvas were in unfavourable situation.
B.The Butts photo was deleted from Instagram
C.Taking butt photos is in fashion in American
D.Joseph and Dasilvas may set foot in Thailand again if they paid the fine
Music festivals in Europe
Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.
Melt! Festival, Germany
This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.
Exit Festival, Serbia
Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Open’er Festival, Poland
Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland
Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.
1.What is special about Melt! Festival?
A.It provides German lessons. B.It is held by a local museum.
C.The bands are from 120 countries. D.Most of the festival goers are German.
2.Why did Exit Festival begin?
A.For political reasons. B.For personal reasons.
C.To help stop a fight. D.To offer help to the poor.
3.What makes Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival different from the others?
A.It falls in summer.
B.It is a live music festival.
C.It teaches people Scottish dances.
D.It invites the most famous bands.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.When did the rich use umbrellas?
A.On sunny days. B.On rainy days. C.On important days.
2.Who invented the first umbrella for use in the rain?
A.The Indians. B.The Egyptians. C.The Chinese.
3.When did the umbrella become popular in the west?
A.400 years ago. B.In 1750. C.In the 16th century.
4.Where was the first umbrella shop?
A.In England. B.In New York. C.On a strait.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why is the man at the shop?
A.To order a camera for his wife.
B.To have a camera repaired.
C.To get a camera changed.
2.What color does the man want?
A.Pink. B.Black. C.Orange.
3.What will the man do afterwards?
A.Make a phone call.
B.Wait until further notice.
C.Come again the next day.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where is the man going?
A.To a restaurant. B.To another company. C.To a lunch meeting.
2.When will the man ring back?
A.During lunch. B.In the afternoon. C.Tomorrow.
3.What might be the relationship between the speakers?
A.Boss and secretary. B.Husband and wife. C.Teacher and student.
