A new device works like a solar panel，except that it doesn’t harvest energy from the sun. It absorbs energy from the cold night sky.
A prototype(原型)of the device produced enough electricity at night to power a small light bulb. A bigger version might one day light rooms or charge phones. It also could power electronics in remote or low-resource areas that lack electricity.
The device makes use of the temperature difference between Earth and outer space. It then uses that difference to create electricity. As long as one side of it is cooler than the other，the generator can produce electricity. The cooler side faces the sky and is attached to an aluminum plate. That plate is sealed beneath a transparent cover and surrounded with insulation(隔热材料) to keep out heat. The bottom of the generator is attached to an exposed aluminum plate. That plate is warmed by the local air. At night，the top plate can get a couple of degrees Celsius cooler than the bottom of the generator.
Researchers tested a 20-centimeter prototype one clear December night in Stanford，California. The generator produced up to about 25 milliwatts of power per square meter of device. That was enough power to light a small light-emitting diode，or LED bulb. Further improvements might increase its production to at least 500 milliwatts per square meter. To do that，the system might need more insulation around the cool top plate.
The device also could help power remote weather stations or other environmental devices，says Aaswath Raman. He is a materials scientist who worked on the device at the University of California，Los Angeles. This may be useful in polar regions that don’t see sunlight for months at a time，Raman says. “If you have some low-power load and you need to power it through three months of darkness，this might be a way. ”
1.What can we know about the new device?
A.It gains energy from the sun. B.It’s been widely used in life.
C.It is cooler than a solar panel. D.It’ll be popular in special areas.
2.What does the author mainly talk about in Paragraph 3?
A.Application fields of the device.
B.The developing process of the device.
C.The working principle of the device.
D.Significant effects of the device.
3.How can the device produce more electricity?
A.By putting more insulation around the top plate.
B.By using it in extremely cold and clear nights.
C.By attaching the bottom plate to a warm plate.
D.By covering the top plate with a transparent lid.
4.What could be a suitable title for the text?
A.A Device Using the Cold Night Sky to Produce Electricity
B.A Device Bringing New Hope for Those in the Cold Night
C.The Difference Between a Solar Panel and a New Device
D.The Temperature Difference Between Earth and Outer Space
Baseball developed gradually from a number of different ball-and-stick games originating in England. As early as the American Revolution, it was noted that troops played “base ball” in their free time. In 1845 Alexander Cartwright formalized the New York Knickerbocker’ version of the game.
The “New York Game” spread rapidly, replacing earlier localized forms. From its beginnings, baseball was seen as a way of satisfying the recreational needs of an increasingly urban-industrial society. At its beginning it was played by and for wealthy gentlemen. A club might consist of 40 members. The president would appoint two captains who would choose teams from among the members. Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with the losers often providing an expensive evening’s entertainment for the winners.
During the 1850-1870 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism, under-the-table payments to outstanding players, and gambling(赌博) on the outcome of games. Beginning with the first openly all-salaried team (Cincinnati’s Red Stocking Club) in 1869, the 1870-1890 period saw the complete professionalization of baseball, including formation of the National Association of Professional Baseball Players in 1871. The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in 1876, run by business-minded investors in joint-stock company(股份公司) clubs. The 1880s has been called Major League Baseball’s “Golden Age”. Profits rocketed, players’ salaries rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums replaced open fields, and the standard refreshment became hot dogs, soda pop and peanuts. In 1900 the Western League based in the growing cities of the Midwest declared itself the American League.
1.What is the text mainly about?
A.The original rules of baseball.
B.The commercialization of baseball.
C.The influence of the “New York Game” on baseball.
D.The development of baseball in the nineteenth century.
2.What can we learn about the “New York Game” at its beginning?
A.The game was played twice a week.
B.A baseball team might consist of 40 members.
C.The winners would get rewarded by the president.
D.The president would choose teams from among the member.
3.What do we know about the baseball game during the 1850-1870 period?
A.The game became completely professional.
B.People bet on the result of games.
C.The game came into a “Golden Age”.
D.Most baseball players got extra incomes.
4.During the 1880s, the baseball games _____.
A.were played in wooden stadiums
B.were reported by a daily sporting newspaper
C.were played less in a league season
D.were controlled by famous investors
When the young donkey Daisy May came to us, she was pregnant. With no donkey experience , I was unprepared for what might come next.
After some difficulty, Daisy's baby was born. I thought the poor thing was dead. I planned to put the loss behind us and make sure she never got pregnant again. Just then, I heard a little noise. I couldn't believe that baby was breathing and looking at me! We called him Samson, and of course I became his mother as much as Daisy was.
When Samson was nine months old, I had to separate Daisy and Samson for a few hours a day to wean （使断奶）him, but otherwise he went wherever she did. I think she would be lost without him. His donkey stepdad Bernard taught him to always be ready to have fun. They enjoy playing football together and going for a roll on a hot summer day.
I asked a worker to make a harness （马具）for my three little donkeys. When I brought it home I taught them one by one how to pull a cart. Samson watched and freely followed Daisy. When he was three, I put the harness on him and he knew exactly what to do.
That was 15 years ago. Now, the most exciting thing about Samson is that he has become a little renowned. People come from all over to see him perform. The neighbors bring their grandchildren, and my sons bring their friends.
Samson shakes hands, unties my shoe, picks up a hat and more. And when I ask him if he has any bad habits, he tries to pick my pocket! He surprisingly learned these tricks himself. I just ask him to do them and he understands.
The relationship I have with my "baby" Samson has been an amazing experience. Every day is a fun day with this superstar donkey.
1.Why was the author at a loss for what might happen next at first?
A.She wasn't ready to be a mother.
B.She never raised a donkey before.
C.The donkey was pregnant by accident.
D.The donkey gave birth to a dead baby.
2.What can we learn about Samson when he was little?
A.He was surrounded by love.
B.He was separated from his family.
C.He was unwelcome to the neighbors.
D.He was skilled in entertaining people.
3.What does the underlined word “renowned” in Paragraph 5 probably refer to?
A.strange. B.proud. C.humorous. D.famous.
4.Which of the following can best describe Samson?
A.friendly and courageous. B.intelligent and lively.
C.carefree and creative. D.patient and fortunate.
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C.Troms-Stamsund. D.Bod-Rrvik.
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A.£25. B.A free voyage.
C.An M&S Gift Card. D.The bucket list experience.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
Mike licked (舔) the last of the chocolate ice cream. It was almost time to leave. He jumped into the car with his parents and headed off to the Olympic-sized pool for the big swim meet. When his race came up, Mike was confident. He was strong and swift. Mike climbed out the pool, smiling. He had just won first place.
A week later, it was time for another swim meet. Like before, Mike decided to enjoy his favorite flavored ice cream before they left home. As Mike climbed out the pool, his teammates patted (拍) him on the back. He’d taken first place again in his race.
As it turned out, Mike decided to have some chocolate ice cream before every one of the next few swim meets that came up. He began to think of it as his lucky charm. After several months of being placed in the top positions of every race he swam, Mike was feeling unbeatable. And he wouldn’t admit it, but he was also starting to feel a little uncomfortable. All that ice cream was adding a few pounds to his athletic swimmer’s build.
It didn't take long after that for Mike to start coming in second place---and then third and then last place in his races. The lucky chocolate ice cream had lost its magic. On the day of his next swim meet, his mother sat down at the table with him. “Mike, I think we need to talk about this. We all love ice cream, but it’s got lots of fat and sugar in it, and it’s not healthy for your body to eat so much of it.” Mike unwillingly agreed. His father offered to go running with him few days a week to help strengthen his muscles. The extra weight soon disappeared, and Mike found himself breathing easier at swim.
It was the last meet of the season, and Mike wasn’t sure what to expect. He felt healthy again, but he didn’t know if he still had any speed in the pool.
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右:
2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好:
Paragraph 1:
As he dived into the water, he kicked his legs and stretched his arms as far as he could.
Paragraph 2:
His jaw(下巴) dropped as he realized he had beaten his own best time, and everyone else’s too.
假如你是李华，是学校校刊主编。因为一些学生易与父母产生冲突，你向学校优秀班主任王老师约稿，希望王老师提出建议和鼓励。
内容要点如下：1.约稿原因；2.希望王老师提出的建议(主动父母沟通；换位思考，体谅父母的心情和难处等)；3.词数600词，截稿日期本月底。
注意：1.词数 100 左右。2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
