The British government declared that a ''proper piece of work'' was being carried out to look into the possibility of linking Scotland to Northern Ireland via a bridge spanning the Irish Sea. At the moment, the leading candidates for the locations of the route are Portpatrick on the Scottish coast and Larne on the Northern Irish coast.
Length aside, there are a number of other significant challenges that such an enormous project would raise. For example, there’s the depth of the sea, which at times reaches 300 metres, and the large spans that would be required to let any ships pass under the bridge safely, explained Ian Firth, a structural engineer at the Institution of Civil Engineers.
''One solution might be to use floating foundations. '' he said. ''You have a floating pontoon(水上浮台) held below the surface of the water.You still have to get down there and drill holes in the rock down below, but you're now just tying it down with some cables. Then the floating platform is held below the waves----you don't want it at the surface because then you’re getting wave action and tidal action. You stand your bridge structures on those floating platforms. That’s the sort of thing that potentially could be doable. ''
Even so, such a structure would still leave those travelling across it at the mercy of high winds and heavy rain, even taking into account any weather shielding measures that could be fitted. However, there may be another solution.
''There's another type of floating structure, a submerged(水下的) floating tunnel. It’s not through the rock but under the water, '' said Firth. ''You attach it down, shall we say 20 metres below the water, so that ships can go happily across the top of it, but the thing is actually floating. If you're in your car, you’re driving, in effect, through a tunnel. That is a very interesting, and I think really quite potentially practical solution. ''
But it's early days and there are many factors to consider, such as the ability of the transport links either side of the crossing to cope with additional traffic, and the fact that it may be more efficient to upgrade the existing ferry infrastructure, before any kind of design work could begin.
''At the moment it is an idea and not much more than that. To begin with, we'd need a pre-feasibility study which looks at what the options are so that we can actually frame the range of a feasibility(可行性) study, '' said Firth, ''After that people like me could go away and turn over what the options are. I believe it's possible. But 'possible' and 'affordable' are two different things. I’m not trying to put numbers to it, but it is eye-wateringly expensive, and nothing like it has been attempted before. But we're in the business of finding solutions to challenges. We civil structural engineers are good at that kind of thing. ''
1.From Paragraphs 1 and 2, engineers may focus efforts on the ______ of the bridge-to-be.
A.cost B.location
C.structure D.reliability
2.What might be the major drawback to the first solution?
A.It is impossible to build a bridge on floating platforms.
B.It takes much labor to tie floating platforms with cables.
C.Wave and tidal action can easily destroy floating platforms.
D.Traffic flow will be subject to severe weather conditions.
3.What can we learn from Firth's words in the last paragraph?
A.Bridge construction is more of an assumption than a detailed plan.
B.Engineers have reached a consensus on the feasibility of the project.
C.They are trying to update the structural design to control costs.
D.Previous similar attempts do help them draw up a feasible plan.
4.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A.Why not float?
B.A bridge too far?
C.Overlooking the Irish Sea
D.Meeting new Scottish friends
Last month, I said a final farewell to my lovely old dog, Oscar. I have been missing him terribly. Oscar went everywhere with me. He was my mascot of unconditional love, my loneliness relief and one of the big loves of my life.
Many scientific studies have shown that petting a dog and even having one nearby can reduce stress. Peter Wedderburn, a writer and veterinary surgeon, once said “Dogs become a central part of our lives, offering unconditional love, continual company and an alternative to loneliness. A dog is the ultimate loving companion.”
It’s no wonder I miss him. Oscar also gave structure to my day. His soft furry rub was my early morning wake-up call, plus his walks punctuated my day with a stress-relieving wander by the canal bank. Since his death, I have found myself lying in bed feeling a little low and unmotivated. I’m also spending hours at my desk and not getting out into the light all day.
I didn’t want my mood to spiral downwards, so I have started a new, gentle morning practice. I have decided to put my focus on lighting my fire----both literally and metaphorically. Mornings are cold on my canal boat, so what better way to heat things up than by creating a warming ritual(仪式).
As I piled up old newspapers, placed four logs on the pile and loaded up smokeless coal, I thought about the “fuel” I wanted to use today----the opportunities and tools available to me. Finally, I struck the match, which symbolized the “spark of inspiration”. As the fire started to burn, I wrote about someone or something that had inspired me as the flames slowly heated up the boat.
Oscar naturally lit up my days and life. Without him, I’m having to be more conscious about how I look after my mental health and mood, but I’m now starting to enjoy my new start to the mornings. I still miss my lovely dog, but I always end my morning practice by raising my mug of coffee in gratitude for the privilege of 13 years of love and light that he brought into my life. Love never dies.
1.Why does the author mention scientific studies and quotes from Peter Wedderburn?
A.To introduce the funny stories about Oscar.
B.To illustrate how attachment to dogs forms.
C.To emphasize her sorrow at Oscar’s death.
D.To contrast her love for a dog with others’
2.The underlined phrase “spiral downwards” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to “_____”.
A.darken B.lift
C.improve D.swing
3.What did the warming ritual mean to the author?
A.It was a new routine which kept her warm in the morning.
B.She viewed it as a ceremony to mourn her beloved Oscar.
C.She intended the ritual to honor those that had inspired her.
D.It symbolized a departure from her downward feelings
Wish List
The Latest home hygiene(卫生) devices
| PhoneSoap Pro (Price: $119.95) https://www.phonesoap.com/ |
Our smartphones can collect so many bacteria that they are around seven times dirtier than a toilet. The PhoneSoap Pro uses ultraviolet (UV) light and claims to kill 99% bacteria in only five minutes. This rechargeable case can accommodate more varieties than only iPhone series. | |
| TUSHY Classic (Price: $109) http://www.hellotushy.com/ |
Attachable bidets such as the TUSHY have become hot commodities. With quick ten-minute installation, this toilet accessory simply sits beneath your toilet seat and connects to your water source without the need for electricity or a pump. With adjustable pressure and spray direction, the TUSHY can accommodate the whole family. | |
| PureAir FRIDGE(Price $49) https://www.greentechenv.com/ |
Food hygiene really matters. This small air purifier sits wirelessly between the fruit and vegetables in your fridge, maintaining fresh air within, removing any unwanted smells and autonomously destroying bacteria. This compact device uses a rechargeable battery that can last 18 to 24 days on one charge. When power is running low, there is a noticeable alarm when the fridge door is opened. | |
| Coway Airmega (Price: $849 https://www.cowaymega.com/ |
In a time when we have to stay in our homes, you might be considering the quality of air inside. The Conway Airmega 400S boasts the ability to remove 99.97% of particles, including PM 2.5 and other pollutants. App-controlled,this home air-purification system will monitor your home’s air quality and make automatic adjustments to its fan speed to improve air quality in real time. |
1.Which of the four hygiene devices can operate without electricity?
A.PhoneSoap Pro. B.TUSHY Classic.
C.PureAir Fridge. D.Coway Airmega.
2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.PhoneSoap Pro is specially designed for iPhone 11 Pro.
B.TUSHY Classic can operate without the need for water.
C.PureAir FRIDGE automatically reminds us of low power.
D.Users have to manually adjust Coway Airmega’s fan speed.
A letter to the teacher who inspired my young son
I was so worried about handing my little boy, Carol, over during his first week of school, but you made it easier. You, _______ at him like a mother would at her own child. You showed warmth and your hugs were always on _______.
After a day in class with you, Carol would come home _______. Whenever I hear Do Your Ears Hang Low or to see him _______ to the sky when singing about the days of the week, I will think of you. The first time we sang it after _______ you was hard but, as time passes, I take _______ in the knowledge that, even though you are not here, you work _______ to make children happy.
Your creativity was _______. I’ll never forget the children’s faces when you’d beautifully _______the classroom into the Deep Dark Wood. I remember their ________ faces talking about the Magnificent Tower Building you’d ________.
In the short time I knew you, you never seemed ________ by the mountain of paperwork or impossible work-life balance that comes with the role. Instead, you appeared to ________ every minute.
I can’t comprehend why you’ve been ________ from us. Telling Carol was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I’m not sure whether he fully understands, ________ he told me he loved you and has been asking whether your “robot powers” will work in ________. I hope that you will shine on him from heaven and ________ him always.
I ________ I had told you all of this when you were with us. I hope that you ________ the extent of your magic, how you brought ________ to everyone you met and how loved you were. Goodbye, Dear Friend.
1.A.pointed B.smiled C.came D.aimed
2.A.display B.duty C.sale D.offer
3.A.complaining B.dancing C.singing D.weeping
4.A.stretching B.shouting C.shooting D.submitting
5.A.losing B.contacting C.leaving D.pleasing
6.A.pride B.delight C.part D.comfort
7.A.promises B.happens C.continues D.ceases
8.A.complex B.inspiring C.shabby D.temporary
9.A.transformed B.divided C.enlarged D.shrunk
10.A.frustrated B.cheerful C.panicked D.funny
11.A.observed B.purchased C.discovered D.created
12.A.motivated B.interrupted C.disturbed D.rejected
13.A.waste B.enjoy C.share D.seize
14.A.taken B.hidden C.claimed D.saved
15.A.because B.while C.but D.and
16.A.school B.heaven C.music D.performance
17.A.inspect B.imitate C.satisfy D.guide
18.A.wish B.regret C.assure D.forget
19.A.lost B.expected C.knew D.managed
20.A.convenience B.argument C.sympathy D.happiness
—Andrew said he would be here by 8.
—_____. He has never been punctual for anything in his life.
A.You said it. B.I wouldn’t bet on it C.You asked for it D.I can’t agree more
Li Ziqi is famous for her videos of rural self-sufficiency ______ on Weibo and YouTube.
A.posted B.having posted C.having been posted D.to be posted
