A new wave of psychological research is pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) to treat medical conditions from social anxiety to Alzheimer's disease.
Riding a wave of interest in mental health tech, companies creating VR content for treatment are receiving a flood of attention and funding. And, while VR has been used successfully to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the 1990s, these new programs address a much broader range of conditions. The library of Palo Alto-based Limbix, for instance, includes VR content designed to treat issues including alcohol addiction and teenage depression. Barcelona-based Psious offers treatments for eating disorders.
Today's VR content is primarily designed to aid exposure treatment, a treatment for anxiety disorders in which patients are exposed to the “threats” they're worried about in a safe, controlled environment, eventually learning that the “threats” are not actually very dangerous. For example, someone who fears heights might visit taller and taller buildings under the guidance of their doctor, while someone with PTSD might revisit painful memories.
VR allows doctors to create a safe and controlled environment inside a VR headset. It's a far safer, quicker and less expensive option. Using VR also gives doctors much more control over the intensity(强度)of their patients' experiences, which can lead to better treatment outcomes, said Stephane Bouchard, a professor at the University of Quebec. VR treatment patients can also do things they couldn't do in the real world. “In one of our studies, we asked patients who are afraid of heights to actually jump from a cliff,” Bouchard said.
However, not all VR treatment content is created equal. “Some companies show videos of VR environments that are incomplete, untested and definitely haven't been tried out by psychologists,” Bouchard said. Clearer rules and standards will make it easier for patients and doctors to identify products that work.
1.What problems can VR be used to treat according to the passage?
A.The fear of heights, blood pressure and eating disorders.
B.Social anxiety, PTSD and alcohol addiction.
C.Alzheimer's disease, heart attack and teenage depression.
D.Sleeping disorders, deafness and computer addiction.
2.What is the main idea of Para 4?
A.The benefits of using VR treatment. B.The principles of using V R treatment.
C.The side effects of using VR treatment. D.The causes of using VR treatment.
3.Which word can be used to describe the future of VR treatment?
A.Passive. B.Uncertain. C.Promising. D.Worrying.
4.What will be most probably discussed in the paragraph following the passage?
A.Wide use of VR treatment. B.Criteria of VR treatment.
C.Problems VR treatment are facing. D.Reasons why VR treatment standards are needed.
Since the age of three, Chelsie Hill had dreamed of becoming a dancer. “The only thing I loved was dance,” she said. In 2010, however, a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. For Hill, it was not the end of a dancing career but the beginning.
Hill danced in her wheelchair right alongside her nondisabled high school dance team. It definitely took a lot of learning and patience to dance in a wheelchair.
After graduation, Hill met people online who had suffered various injuries but shared her determination, and she invited them to dance with her. It was an amazing experience for her.
In 2014 Los Angeles, she formed a team of dancers with disabilities she called the Rollettes. “I want to break down the stereotype of wheelchair users and show that dance is dance, whether you’re walking or you’re rolling,” she said. Dancing on wheels, the Rollettes discovered, can be just as fast-paced, artful, and fulfilling as the foot-based variety.
Hill has attained what many people never will: her childhood dream. But the Rollettes have helped her find something else just as fulfilling. Every year she holds a dance camp for wheelchair users of all ages and abilities. She calls it the Rollettes Experience, and in 2019, 173 participants from ten countries attended.
For many, it was the first time they’d felt they belonged. Steph Aiello said that working with Hill challenged her to be more independent. Edna Serrano said being part of the Rollettes team gave her the courage to get behind the wheel of a car because she had more confidence.
The dancers aren’t the only ones feeling inspired. One woman saw the team competing and commented, “You guys are so awesome! I’m in tears when you rock! To be in a wheelchair can still be so beautiful!”
1.What do we know about Chelsie Hill from the first two paragraphs?
A.She got seriously injured in a dancing match.
B.She stopped dancing right after a car accident.
C.She dreamed of being a dancer at a young age.
D.She danced in a disabled team in high school.
2.What does the underlined word “stereotype” in paragraph 4 refer to?
A.Conservative views. B.Improper behaviors.
C.Incurable disabilities. D.Physical weaknesses.
3.What do we know about the Rollettes Experience?
A.Audience spoke ill of the competition. B.Participants benefited greatly from it.
C.It is aimed to select the best dancers. D.It made Hill’s childhood dream fulfilled.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Chelsie Hill, An Artful Dancer B.Disability, Good for Dancing
C.Help others; Help Yourself D.Attaining Dancing Dream In Wheelchair
请阅读下面的文字，并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章
Researchers in the Netherlands report that children who get more exercise, whether at school or at other places, tend to have higher scores on standardized tests. In a review of 14 studies that looked at physical activity and academic performance investigators found that the more children moved? the better their grades were in school, particularly in the basic subjects of math, English and reading.
The data will certainly fuel the ongoing debate over whether physical education classes for senior three students should be reduced or even cancelled. The arguments against physical education have included concerns that gym time may be taking away study time. With standardized test scores in the US dropping in recent years, some administrators believe students need to spend more time in the classroom instead of on the playground. But as these findings show, exercise and academics may not be consequently exclusive. Physical activity can improve blood flow to the brain, memory, attention and creativity, which are essential to learning.
（写作内容）
1. 用约3个单词概述上述信息的主要内容；
2. 谈谈你是否赞成“高三学生应该减少体育课时间”，并用2-3个理山或论据支撑你的观点。
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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：何个空恪只填1个单词。
NEBOSH IGC
It is a known fact that gas and mining companies tend to encounter evident risks such as fire and chemical exposure. However, this does not mean that other industries are free of health and safety risks. Even those regarded as safe workplaces such as those in IT and education fields can threaten the health and safety of employees. For example, using a computer for more hours than normal can cause muscle problems, spinal cord （脊髓）issues, and tiredness. On the other hand, the employees in the business sector can face tremendous stress ——the modem main cause of several physical and psychological disorders. These facts prove that health and safety dangers exist in any industry. Therefore, it is vital to train the employees in occupational health and safety.
One such course that is designed for the workers of all industries is the NEBOSH IGC in Rawalpindi, Islamabad. Designed by the NEBOSH or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, the course has become the UK's criterion for health and safety measures. It is suitable for all professionals who need a fundamental understanding of safety and health concerns. A professional can choose to take this course either via an instructor-led classroom or via online e-Learning modules.
Classroom training is best fbr those who prefer face-to-face interaction fbr learning as well as for getting instant feedback from the instructors. These are the people who learn more effectively in the presence of a teacher.
However, most professionals are choosing the online e-Learning course for gaining the NEBOSH IGC in Islamabad, as it has proved more effective and convenient The biggest benefit of online learning is that it is the most flexible way to learn at any time and from anywhere, something that today's busy professionals can do despite their busy schedules.
Another benefit is that the online course is backed by 24/7 support. This helps you to get the desired assistance as well as feedback from online instructors even late at night or early in the morning. Further, because you can access the modules anytime through the Internet, the training happens at your own pace, which is required for effective learning. If you decide to take advantage of the training online, you can expect to invest around 75-80 hours in learning. There is truly no need to join a class or any institution for taking NEBOSH training courses in Rawalpindi, Islamabad. The online NEBOSH courses help you save time and energy while effectively learning the work-related health and safety basics.
NEBOSHIGC | |
Background | Almost all industries, gas and mining companies in 1. , are subject to health and safety risks. Therefore, it is a(n) 2. to get employees 3. in occupational health and safety. |
Typical examples | ★4. to computers for long hours may lead people to suffer from muscle problems and tiredness. ★Those in the business sector feel under great pressure, 5. to disorders in their physical and psychological health. |
Characteristics of the NEBOSH IGC | The NEBOSH IGC has become a method of 6. the health and safety measures in the UK and suitable for all professionals in need of a basic understanding of safety and health concerns. |
7. to studying the NEBOSH IGC | ★Classroom learning is a perfect choice for learners who like to interact face to face with their instructors and get immediate feedbacks. ★ A(n) 8. of professionals have a preference for the online e-Learning course thanks to its 9. which allows them to learn anytime and anywhere at their own speed! ★ The online NEBOSH courses help them learn the work-related health and safely basics 10. and effectively. |
When Laura wanted to go into the garden by the back door, it was blocked by servants.
Something had happened.
“What's the matter? What's happened?"
“There's been a horrible accident/ said the cook. "A man killed."
“A man killed! Where? How? When?”
Know those little cottages just below here, Miss?” Know them? Of course, Laura knew them. "Well, there's a young guy living there, name of Scott, a carter His horse shied （受惊）at a traction-engine, and he was thrown out on the back ofhis head. Killed.^
“Dead!" Laura stared at the cook.
“Dead when they picked him up," said the cook. 'Just now they were taking the body home. He'$ left a wife and five little ones.
come here;' Laura caught her sister's sleeve and dragged her through the kitchen into the garden. There she paused. "Jose!" she said, horrified, ''however are we going to stop everything?'
"Stop everything, Laura!” cried Jose in astonishment. “What do you mean?”
"Stop the garden party, of course.Why did Jose pretend?”
But Jose was still more amazed. "Stop the garden party? My dear Laura, don't be so absurd. Of course we can’t do anything of the kind. Nobody expects us to. Don't be so extravagant”
“But we can’t possibly have a garden party with a man dead just outside the front gate.”
That really was extravagant. Those little cottages, those miserable houses, had no right to be in that rich neighbourhood in the first place. When Laura and Jose were little they were even forbidden to set foot there because of the rude language and of what they might see. It was dirty and disgusting.
“And just think of what the band would sound like to that poor woman," said Laura.
"Oh, Laura!” Jose began to be seriously annoyed, lf you are going to stop a band playing every time some one has an accident, you'll lead a very difficult life, I'm every bit as sorry about it as you. But you won't bring a drunken workman back to life by being sentimental（多愁善感的）.”
"Drunk! Who said he was drunk?” Laura turned angrily on Jose, “I'm going straight up to tell mother
Do, dear," said Jose, gently.
"Mother, can 1 come into your mom?" Laura turned the big glass door-knob.
"Of course, child. Why, what’s the matter? What's given you such a colour?” And Mrs. Sheridan turned round from her dressing-table. She was trying on a new hat.
"Mother, a man's been killed,began laura.
“Not in the garden?" interrupted her mother.
“No, no!”
"Oh, what a fright you gave me!" Mrs. Sheridan sighed with relief and took off the big hat and held it on her knees.
"But listen, mother,,, said Laura, Breathless, half-choking, she told the dreadful story. "Of course, we can't have our party, can we?" she begged. "The band and everybody arriving. And the poor family would hear us, mother; they're nearly neighbours!”
“Oh, Laura's astonishment her mother behaved just like Jose; it was harder to bear because she seemed amused. She refused to take Laura seriously.”
“But, my dear child, use your common sense. If some one had died there normally 一 and I can't understand how they keep alive in those little holes 一 we should still be having our party, shouldn't we??”
Laura had to say “yes” to that, but she felt it was all wrong.
"Mother, isn't it terribly heartless of us?” she asked.
"Darling!" Mrs. Sheridan got up and came over to her, carrying the hat. "My child!” said her mother, "the hat is yours. It's made for you. Wow! Look at yourself!And she held up her hand-mirror.
"But, mother, Laura began again. She couldn't look at herself; she turned aside.
This time Mrs. Sheridan lost patience just as Jose had done.
"You arc being very absurd, Laura," she said coldly. "People like that don't expect sacrifices from us. And ifs not very sympathetic to spoil everybody ,s enjoyment as you are doing now,"
"I don't understand,'' murmured Laura. Then, quite by chance, she saw this charming girl in the mirror, in the beautiful hat. Never had she imagined she could look like that. Is mother right? she thought. And now she hoped her mother was right. Am I being extravagant? Perhaps. Just fbr a moment she had another glimpse of that poor woman and those little children, and the body being carried into the house. But it all seemed blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper. I'll remember it again after the party's over, she decided. And somehow that seemed quite the best plan …
1.Laura suggested stopping everything because .
A.something bad had happened in the garden
B.her neighbours were experiencing great grief
C.the servants blocked the back door of the garden
D.she wanted to provide material help for the poor family
2.What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
A.Laura was trying to submit herself to her family.
B.The news of the carter's death finally hit the headlines.
C.Laura hoped mother was right in choosing that hat fbr her.
D.A poor man's death was little more than an unimportant thing,
3.What will most probably happen following this story?
A.Laura came up with a best plan to solve all this.
B.Laura managed to persuade her mother and sister.
C.The party just continued as planned in the garden,
D.The poor widow came over to scold the band.
4.Which of the following can best describe Laura?
A.Sentimental and persistent. B.Optimistic and easy-going.
C.Considerate and sympathetic. D.Hardworking and open-minded,
5.What does the underlined word “extravagant” probably mean?
A.Too sensible. B.Not practical
C.Too upright. D.Not sympathetic.
6.Which of the following can be the best title of the story?
A.The garden party. B.The quarrel.
C.rhe rich and the poor. D.The death of a neighbour.
When is a media company not a media company? When it’s on the Internet. YouTube and Facebook convey what their users read and watch, and sell advertising next to it. Edited content, financed by advertising? It sounds a lot like the model that dominated media for much of the 20th century. And yet these firms have long claimed to be mere "platforms”，passively hosting content they say they are neither able nor willing to assess. It's true that they are not like traditional media companies. Much of their content is donated by their users; and algorithms (算) not editors, decide what is most worthy of attention. But they are getting more like them every day.
The anger over “fake news” has led Facebook to employ fact checkers, hire editorial staff to control the algorithms, crack down on the spread of junk and invest in tools to help out journalists.
So what kind of media companies are Facebook, YouTube and the rest? Not good ones. Their enormous power to inform, and the huge potential value of forming connections between people around the world, have in fair measure been wasted by prioritising attention-grabbing content 一 regardless of its quality, truthfulness or seriousness, which has made the online content cheap and its tone rude.
The tech giants are now coming under increasing pressure to clean up their acts. Perhaps more exactly, the advertisers have begun to revolt （反抗）：Google and Facebook now take nine out of every 10 new dollars spent on online advertising, although they have been accused of marking their own homework'", making unconvincing and unverifiable （无可考证的）claims about its effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the companies are avoiding responsibility for setting rules over their services. Excuses that the problem is too technically complex are not convincing: their engineers have proven skillful at cracking down on, say, copyright violation when it suits the firms. Nor does a firm position on free speech hold up: history is filled with examples of how a fair balance can be struck. Those have involved dialogue and democratic considerations that social media companies have thus iar mostly disdained （轻视）.They should do so no longer. The firms have enjoyed the privileges and profits of media for long enough: it's time they picked up the responsibilities too.
1.What does the author think of YouTube and Facebook's claim in Paragraph 1?
A.It is unexpected. B.It is absurd.
C.It is practical. D.It is influential.
2.YouTube and Facebook aren't considered as good media companies mainly because of .
A.their low quality content B.their prejudice against morality
C.their being a time-waster D.their lack of control of speech
3.According to the text, tech giants' advertising business .
A.may not actually satisfy advertisers' needs
B.has invited users^ questioning of privacy issues
C.will be cut down to respond to public discontent
D.may not gain profit as ad spending keeps rising
4.In the last paragraph, the author suggests that new media companies should .
A.improve their overall technology
B.abandon the democratic ideal of free speech
C.take responsibility for regulating copyright issues
D.act as a medium despite their Internet background
