We Are Cyborgs
RoboCop, the Bionic Woman, Darth Vader-what do these characters have in common? They are all cyborgs-humans who are made more powerful by advanced technology. You might think that cyborgs exist only in fiction, or are a possibility only in the distant future. But cyborg technology already exists.
The word “cyborg” was first used in 1960 and defined as an organism “to which external components have been added for the purpose of adapting to new environments”. According to this definition, an astronaut in a spacesuit is an example of cyborg, as the spacesuit helps the astronaut adapt to a new environment-space. More recently, the word has evolved to refer to human beings who have mechanical body parts that make them more than human.
Although super-humans like RoboCop are not yet a reality, advances in real-life cyborg technology allow some people to compensate for abilities they have lost, and give other people new and unusual abilities. An example is filmmaker Rob Spence and his bionic eye. Spence injured one of his eyes in an accident. A camera was implanted in his prosthetic eye(假眼). The eye is not connected to his brain or optic nerve(视神经), but it can record what he sees. Spence has used his camera eye to record interviews for a documentary about people with bionic body parts.
Some types of cyborg technology replace a lost ability by connecting directly to a person’s nerves. Michael Chorost completely and suddenly lost his ability to hear in July of 2001. Two months later, doctors placed a cochlear implant, a kind of computer, inside his skull. This type of implant connects to auditory nerves and allows a deaf person to hear again. Around the world, over 300,000 people have now been fitted with cochlear implants.
These examples of cyborg technology have enabled people to enhance or change their abilities and improve their lives. But does everyone want to use cyborg technology? It might be too late to decide. Cyborg scientist Amber Case argues that most of us are already cyborgs. Anyone who uses a computer or a smartphone, Case claims, is a cyborg. Consider the data that you have in your smartphone. It keeps information for you so you don’t have to remember it: notes, phone numbers, email addresses, messages. It also allows you to communicate with friends and family via telephone, text messages, email, and social networks.
The potential benefits of cyborg technology are evident, but can this new technology be harmful, too? Could we become too dependent on cyborg technology-and become less than human? These still remain questions.
1.According to the passage, the cyborg _______.
A.is similar to human beings
B.took root in fiction characters
C.first appeared in space industry
D.has some device attached to the body
2.With the help of cyborg technology, _______.
A.eyesight can be restored
B.the nerve injury can be repaired
C.lost abilities can be replaced by a new skill
D.hearing loss can be prevented by cochlear implants
3.Amber Case probably thinks that ______.
A.technology makes cyborgs become common
B.cyborg technology is crucial to modern society
C.the use of mobiles improves cyborg technology
D.cyborg technology helps improve human memory
4.What is the author’s attitude toward cyborg technology?
A.Critical. B.Skeptical.
C.Optimistic. D.Objective.
The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and documentation of folk and traditional arts in the United States. NCTA presents the nation’s very finest artists in festivals, tours, international cultural exchange, workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions, media productions, school programs, and other activities. It works in partnership with communities across America to establish new, sustainable traditional arts events that deliver lasting social and cultural benefits.
NCTA seeks Festival Support Staff for 2020 festival season to provide office and on-site support for three large-scale festivals. Positions available include:
Programming Administration Assistant
This is the perfect position for someone with an interest in history, arts management, cultural anthropology, and related fields.
Responsibilities include programming research, marketing and promotion, and event organization. The position may also be responsible for press and photo document management, social media updates, and customer service.
Qualified applicants will be detail-oriented(细心的) and organized, with excellent people skills and a general interest in the traditional arts. Computer literacy is essential. Contract runs May 1 - December 15.
Festival Assistant
This is the perfect position for someone with an interest in arts, culture, and event logistics(后勤) who enjoys operating in a fast-paced, collegial small-office environment.
The position provides festival staff support. Responsibilities include document creation, travel purchase, logistics support, data entry, and database maintenance.
Qualified applicants will be outgoing and open-minded, with effective oral and written communication skills and computer literacy. Prior experience with festival planning is preferred. Contract runs May 18 - October 30.
Production Associate
The Production Associate is a key member of the production team who will work closely with the Production Manager on all festival audio, backline, and lighting needs, from planning through implementation(实施).
The role will contribute to the following key tasks: advancing technical needs with artists, making tech books, accurate record-keeping, and working with NCTA and Festival staff to insure smooth on-site operations.
Qualified applicants will be responsible and adaptable, with excellent people skills. Prior experience in concert production is preferred. Contract runs June 15 - October 30.
All Positions: Experience with database entry, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat is required. Must have a clean driving record, or reliable transportation. Some evenings, weekends, and travel required.
All positions are full time with contract. Deadline is April 20, 2020.
More details and how to apply at: http//ncta-America.com.
1.According to the passage, NCTA ____.
A.focuses on cultural and art education
B.keeps a record of American traditional arts
C.enjoys economic benefits from communities
D.aims to help the artists in art-related activities
2.The programming administration assistant will probably_____.
A.plan and design program
B.create social networking websites
C.deal with complaints from customers
D.photograph newspapers and documents
3.What is the requirement for all the three positions?
A.Driving skills.
B.Communication skills.
C.Working experience.
D.Knowledge on traditional arts.
4.Once employed, one will _________.
A.work full time
B.travel every week
C.start the job in May
D.learn database design
The Joy of Giving
Many athletes can light up the scoreboard with their skill. But it takes a special kind of athlete to light up a child’s face.
Runner Sanya Richards Ross is a four-time Olympic gold medal winner. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and though she now lives in Texas, her passion is helping young people in her homeland through her Fun 4 Kidz Foundation, which tackles illiteracy and promotes a healthy lifestyle. “Education is so important. Jamaica has its share of poor people who don’t have the means to get a great education. When you’re educated, your opportunities are endless. I had great support growing up, but not everyone is so blessed. So far, our program has been in seven schools in Jamaica, helping 400 students,” said Sanya.
Houston Texans All-Pro J.J. Watt is all business on the football field. But with children, he is playful and fun loving. He started the Justin J. Watt Foundation to provide after-school sports opportunities for underprivileged children. These activities help the kids learn about teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. He said, “At one of the first schools where we gave out uniforms, a kid told me, ‘It’s the best day of my life. I’m going to be a football player.’ Simple things like that keep me helping kids. Seeing the smile on a kid’s face is everything.”
Mia Hamm is one of the greatest soccer players in U.S. National and Olympic history. Inspired by her brother, Garrett, who died from a rare blood disorder, she started the Mia Hamm Foundation to raise awareness and money for those in need of bone marrow or cord blood transplants. As she said, “We do charity soccer games, bringing together unrelated donors and recipients(受助人). To see that reunion is one of the most powerful things you can see. There are a lot of tears when people meet their donors, who are their selfless, thoughtful heroes; who gave them a second chance at life. If I can help reduce the suffering of others, I will gladly do it.”
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is one of baseball’s greats. His daughter, Isabella, has Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual growth. Albert and his wife, Deidre, started the Pujols Family Foundation to help children with Down Syndrome.
For these athletes, there’s no better feeling than to bring joy to people and to those in need, and seeing a smile on a child’s face at a foundation event or wherever they are involved really makes it all worth it.
1.Which foundation provides poor kids with physical exercise?
A.The Mia Hamm Foundation.
B.The Justin J. Watt Foundation.
C.The Pujols Family Foundation.
D.Fun 4 Kidz Foundation.
2.What got Mia Hamm to start charity work?
A.Garrett’s death.
B.Patients’ suffering.
C.Her love for soccer games.
D.The selflessness of the donors.
3.Which of the following words can best describe these athletes?
A.Wealthy and capable.
B.Loyal and reliable.
C.Educated and creative.
D.Responsible and caring.
At six feet, seven inches tall and weighing 253 pounds, Father was a quiet giant(巨人) who only roared when he was angry. He would work long days, often ________ when I was already in bed. My two younger sisters and I both loved and feared him. Hearing the words, “Just wait until your father comes home,” would guarantee the three of us would start ________immediately. I was seven years old the night the “giant” became a person, and my ________. All it took was the _____ of a tiny, dirty kitten.
I ________ to the sounds of my father coming home from work. I slipped out of bed and moved quietly towards the living room in hopes of spending a few precious minutes ________ with my parents without my annoying sisters around.
I heard mum say, “We cannot ________ it.” What was the “it”? The giant saw me and ________ I should sit down near him. I was at a loss, although ________ might be a better word, for I had never seen or heard of a giant crying before. Unshed(满眶) tears ________up in his eyes. His cheeks were ________ from the ones he had cried earlier.
The giant reached into a cardboard box and brought out a dirty young cat and ________ it on my lap. I was soon ________, as the giant shared a story with mum. As he spoke, with shaking shoulders caused by ________and at times sorrow, he transformed from a giant to a man who became my hero.
He ________ that he was on his way home when he heard two men laughing and talking. As he rounded the corner, he heard the most terrible scream of pain. He couldn’t ________ what he saw. The men had thrown a kitten into a furnace(火炉). He yelled and ran up to them but it was too _____. He couldn’t save the kitten. The men had run away and he was about to run after them when he saw another kitten at his feet.
“We have to ________ it; we have to keep it!” said the giant.
“It needs a ________,” said mum.
“I can help, Mommy!”
Reminded of my presence, mum and my hero sent me off to bed. As I fell asleep, I heard mum running some water.
We named the kitten Cinder and it joined our family. I never saw “the giant” again; I only saw my hero and a man whose heart was ________ than he was.
1.A.greeting B.chatting C.returning D.wandering
2.A.waiting B.escaping C.preparing D.behaving
3.A.model B.hero C.tutor D.friend
4.A.visit B.story C.arrival D.life
5.A.awoke B.listened C.rushed D.dreamed
6.A.straight B.alone C.indoors D.gradually
7.A.keep B.leave C.train D.clean
8.A.appealed B.urged C.indicated D.proposed
9.A.regretful B.hopeless C.unwilling D.terrified
10.A.built B.rolled C.blocked D.welled
11.A.wet B.red C.bright D.fresh
12.A.spread B.placed C.led D.dropped
13.A.discovered B.forgotten C.convinced D.relieved
14.A.fear B.surprise C.anxiety D.anger
15.A.argued B.emphasized C.explained D.summarized
16.A.believe B.prove C.guess D.judge
17.A.bad B.late C.fast D.far
18.A.help B.cure C.feed D.buy
19.A.meal B.rest C.bath D.lift
20.A.lighter B.purer C.warmer D.larger
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In half a century, the Internet has transformed society. Billions of us can connect at the touch of a button. Access 1. information, banks and shops has never been easier. The world has changed 2. (dramatic) and continues to do so in ways we couldn’t have imagined. However, the Internet isn’t without disadvantages. By design, it has no central authority, 3. makes protecting people online or dealing with misinformation a near-impossible task.
4. the Internet develops will shape our future. If the past 50 years has been dominated by free and open exchanges, the next 50 will be about whether rules and restrictions can actually make the Internet, and the world, a better place.
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One morning, I told my husband jokingly that he’d dropped the ball because he hadn’t made me coffee and I was having trouble getting motivated 1.(start) the day. My five-year-old son overheard me and asked what “drop the ball” meant. I told him it was just something like making a mistake. A few minutes later, he came into our bedroom 2. (hold) an overflowing coffee cup with a dishcloth underneath it to catch the drops. He said to my husband, “You dropped the ball, but I picked the ball up,” and he handed me the worst-tasting, most watered-down but 3. (sweet) cup of coffee ever.
