The past 70 years have been good for corn production in the Midwestern United States, with yields increasing fivefold since the 1940s. Much of this improvement has been credited to advances in farming technology but researchers at Harvard University are asking if changes in climate and local temperature may be playing a bigger role than previously thought.
In a newspaper, researchers find that a prolonged(延长的) growing season due to increased temperatures, combined with the natural cooling effects of large fields of plants, have had a major contribution to improved corn production in the U.S. “Our research shows that improvements in crop yields depend, in part, on improvements in climate,” said Peter Huybers, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences. “In this case, changing temperatures have had a beneficial impact on agricultural production, but there is no guarantee that benefit will last as the climate continues to change.
Understanding the detailed relationships between climate and crop yields is important as we move towards feeding a growing population on a changing planet. ” The researchers modeled the relationship between temperature and crop yields from 1981 to 2017 across the so-called Corn Belt. They found that as temperatures increased due to global climate change, planting days got earlier and earlier, shifting by about three days per decade. Early planting means the corn has more time to mature before the end of the growing season.
There is also a second, more surprising trend that has benefited corn yields. Whereas the vast majority of temperatures have warmed over the last century, the hottest days during the Midwestern growing season have actually cooled.
The researchers estimate that more than one quarter of the increase in crop yields since 1981 can be attributed to the twin effects of a longer growing season and less exposure to high temperatures, suggesting that the crop yield is more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought.
The researchers also show that the planting and harvest dates farmers currently use is significantly better adapted to the present climate than it would be to climates in earlier decades.
1.What is previously thought to be the reason for the increase of corn production?
A.Local temperature change. B.Advanced farming technology.
C.Climate change. D.Production efficiency.
2.Why is it important to understand the relationships between climate and crop yield?
A.The climate has a beneficial impact on agriculture.
B.We can change the climate to improve crop yield.
C.We depend on the climate to get food.
D.Crop yield relies less on the climate.
3.How many factors that benefit corn yields are mentioned in the text?
A.4. B.3.
C.2. D.1.
4.What is the main purpose of the text?
A.To explain a mystery. B.To question a common sense.
C.To show a new trend. D.To introduce a research result.
There are many differences in the way different cultures raise kids. International visitors can’t help but notice the fact that children are special in China. However, the way some Chinese people treat these very special kids may shock some foreign visitors.
When I told a Chinese mother her child was beautiful, I was nonplussed when she replied, “ No, she’s not; she’s ugly.” Since that time I have heard many similar comments, including, “No, he’s not bright; he’s stupid.” This is a huge cultural difference that needs to be understood when you talk about kids with your international visitors.
Someone explained it to me, “ We Chinese don’t want to appear too proud.” I’m sure there are other people in the world who feel the same way, but most people in my country would consider you a terrible parent if you said your kid was stupid or ugly. They would think you were destroying the child’s self-confidence. When we Americans say something good about our child we don’t think we are being proud because we are saying it about the child, not about ourselves. In this way, we separate the child from the parents as two different persons.
You may think I sound too proud when I freely say to another westerner: “ My daughter is smart and pretty.” Of course, I still have to teach her not to be proud, but I can be proud of her. It’s just the way she was made, and I’m thankful for that. So, in the US when we say something nice about our own kids, it is not considered being too proud but rather, being thankful and being a good parent.
1.What does the underlined word “nonplussed” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Hopeful B.Worried
C.Regretful D.Surprised
2.When US parents praise their child in front of others, they _____
A.often feel proud of themselves B.try to build the kid’s confidence
C.just say something nice about the kid D.have similar feelings as Chinese parents
3.What can we infer about the author?
A.He is from the US. B.He is visiting America
C.He is a Chinese parent. D.He is an expert in education.
4.What is mainly discussed in the text?
A.How different cultures in the world raise kids.
B.How Chinese and US parents talk about kids.
C.How US parents feel about themselves.
D.How different countries treat kids.
TIANJIN, Dec.12, 2018 (Xinhua)—Striking Chinese gongs(锣) for 50 years, Liu Zibin, a 70-year-old folk artist in Tianjin Municipality, is eager to introduce the traditional musical instrument used in Chinese opera to more people.
Liu became addicted to Chinese opera in his childhood when his grandfather frequently took him to watch performances. At the age of 13, he joined Hebei bangzi training team. Hebei bangzi is one of the oldest types of Chinese opera in northern China, which became popular in the Qing Dynasty. It is a traditional Chinese opera combining music, vocals, dance and acrobatics(杂技).
“It took me hours to practice the basic skills of gongs,” he said. “This round piece of metal can help performers on the stage to express joy and sorrow when hit by a stick with different rhythms, so I must bear in mind all kinds of rhythms(节奏) for various situations. For example, striking gongs with a quick tempo(速度) can create a tense atmosphere for action scenes.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, the reorganization of opera troupes in Tianjin forced many members to switch their jobs to those in factories. Thanks to Liu’s brilliant skills, he was fortunate enough to go to one of the three biggest Beijing Opera troupes in Tianjin to continue his gong life.
Ten years ago, Liu retired, but he still goes to an opera tea house almost every afternoon to strike the gong for opera performances. In 2006, Hebei bangzi was listed into China’s national intangible cultural heritage. However, he worries about maintaining the art as fewer and fewer youngsters are learning percussion(敲打乐器), especially gongs. “People who strike the gong stay behind the scenes. It is hard for them to gain fame and fortune,” he said. Although many amateurs(业余爱好者) have learned from Liu over the years, some gave up easily. “It’s a bit dull and boring to continuously strike a gong for 40 minutes at the practice stage. It requires patience. Few can bear the hardship,” he said.
Various kinds of Chinese gongs are neatly placed at Liu’s home. He is waiting for more people to take over his career and spread the traditional Chinese art.
1.What can we know about Liu Zibin from the 2nd paragraph?
A.His grandfather founded Hebei Opera Troupe.
B.He showed interest in Chinese opera as a child.
C.He was the only one who could strike gongs in the troupe.
D.His grandfather taught him to sing Hebei bangzi.
2.Why did some members of the opera troupes turn to factories in the 1960s and 1970s?
A.Because of the reform of the opera troupes.
B.Because no one showed interest in opera then.
C.Because they could earn more money in factories.
D.Because the opera troupe was badly lacking in funds.
3.How old was Liu Zibin when he retired?
A.55 years old. B.60 years old.
C.65 years old. D.70 years old.
4.What can we conclude from the text?
A.People striking the gong will never become famous.
B.Grasping the skill of striking the gong is anything but challenging.
C.Liu expects the traditional Chinese art will draw more people’s attention.
D.Hebei bangzi is now the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
NextFest is an unusual exhibition where you can meet the most creative minds and discover new technology from around the world and see the things that will change the way we live, work and play in the future. For example,......
Brainball is a computer game with a difference: if you’re too competitive, you'll lose. The more relaxed you are, the better you play. Brainball measures your brainwaves and the person who is the most relaxed can push the ball to the other side and win. I’m sure it will be a popular game with yoga teachers and nervous parents everywhere.
If you’re interested in fashion, NexlFest can show you the clothes of the future—cloth which you can change by downloading styles from the web, clothes which look after your health and a biometric(生物测量的) suit which watches over your body and gives you medicine when you need it.
Another hit is a humanoid(类人的) robot which can walk, turn, climb up and down stairs—and even dance. Asimo copies human movement and is friendly-looking. Its maker, Honda, believes it will be a big help to blind or elderly people and to those who can’t get out of bed.
The Skyear looks as if it could only appear in a Hollywood film. It certainly lives up to its name: it can fly. It can climb at more than 2.000 metres a minute and reach a speed of 365 mph. If you want one, it will cost you about $500,000!
If you want to see the future, come to NexiFest. It’s open all this whole week at the State Science Exhibition Centre.
1.What should you do if you want to win a game of Brainball?
A.Keep a cool head. B.Be strong enough.
C.Have a creative mind D.Be highly competitive.
2.What is Asimo designed to do?
A.Direct human movement. B.Look after human’s health.
C.Give patients medical treatment. D.Help the elderly and the disabled.
3.What can we learn about NextFest?
A.It lasts five days. B.It is held by Honda.
C.It is related to technology. D.It sells clothes and medicine.
假如你是李华，因为新冠疫情（the COVID-19 epidemic)的影响，你的英国笔友Mary家开办的农场农产品滞销，写信向你求助。请你给她回封信，鼓励她参照中国的经验，自己做网络主播（network anchor)，在家直播带货（promote goods sales through livestreaming)。
内容包括：1.直播推销的设备；2.直播推销的优势；3.直播推销的建议。
参考词汇：1.拼单：share the bill; 2.秒光：sell out within seconds; 3. 网红营销(social influencer marketing)。
Dear Mary,
How are you getting along these days?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I do hope that it will be helpful to you. Best wishes!
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：
1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
One day, I played the chess with Father and I won the first round, said proudly: “Dad, you have to fight.” Father replied he will get back in the next round. The second round began and I launched a series of attacks, that caught my dad off guard and led to much falls. My heart leaped with the joy that he could win again. I thought victory was within my grasp, but I defeated instead. Dad explained that I should have taken a long-term view so that I could succeed eventually. Father’s words made me comprehended a principle that we students should look forward to the future. More important, we should be good at seizing opportunities, making plan, and moving forward to the goal.
