Reducing class size has traditionally been seen as an important way to improve a student’s educational experience. Many often believe that smaller classes would permit teachers to give more personal attention to their students. 1..
But one recent study suggests there's not much research-based evidence to support this idea. The research was collected by a team from Denmark's Danish Center for Social Science Research.
The study notes that one of the main problems with reducing class size is that it can have very high costs. 2.. Financial limitations make it very difficult for many schools to reduce the number of students in the classroom.
The new study began by examining 127 studies on classroom size. Its goal was to examine the major research studies already completed on the subject. 3.. In the end, the research centered on 10 main studies with possible sampling (采样)problems.
The researchers concluded that there's some evidence to suggest that reducing class size may lead to some improvement in a student 's reading achievement. 4.. They found just a 53-percent chance that a randomly selected test score from a student from a small class would be higher than the selected score of a student from a larger class. 5.. This led the researchers to conclude that there would be no benefit at all to math students in a smaller class size.
A.But they said the effect is very small
B.For mathematics achievement, the result was 49 percent
C.This can theoretically lead to improved academic results for students
D.Many public opinion studies have shown teachers favor smaller class sizes
E.The effects of larger class size can stay long after the students complete their education
F.Increasing class size is one of the most common ways school systems control education spending
G.They especially centered on those trying to measure if smaller class size led to greater academic success
Supermarket shelves are filled with plant-based alternatives (可代替品) to cow milk, including soy, nut, and coconut milk. These products are popular with consumers who cannot drink cows’ milk for health reasons, as well as with those concerned about animal welfare and environmental sustainability. While the dairy-free (非乳制的) options work well with cereal or in coffee, they fail miserably when it comes to making milk-based products like cheese or yogurt. However, these shortcomings may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new company in California, which has figured out how to create animal-free milk in a laboratory!
Perumal Gandhi and Ryan Pandya founded the company in 2014 after becoming increasingly annoyed with the lack of cows’ milk-free alternatives, particularly for cheese. For Gandhi, who stopped consuming animal products five years earlier due to environmental and animal welfare concerns, the motivation to create a better alternative stemmed from his love of cheesy pizza. Pandya was spurred (被激发) to take action after being forced to eat some “really bad” dairy-free cream cheese on his sandwich.
The two MIT biomedical engineering scientists decided to join forces to create a more realistic alternative to dairy-based products. In their university lab, the pair spent nine months first isolating (分离) cow DNA then inserting it into yeast (酵母). This genetic modification (改造) enabled the yeast to produce the necessary milk proteins. The final step of the process involved mixing the proteins with some plant nutrients and fats.
The dairy-free milk not only tastes like the real thing but is also healthier, has a longer shelf life and, most important of all, is Earth friendly. According to the company’s website, when compared to conventional (常规的) milk production, their process uses 65% less energy, creates 84% less greenhouse gas emissions (排放) and requires 91% less land and an amazing 98% less water! Best of all, since it contains real milk proteins, the product behaves like the cow-produced version, which means vegetarian (素食的) consumers will no longer have to deal with the unpleasant cheese on their sandwiches and pizzas.
The company plans to bring their creation to market later this year and their first product will most likely be cheese since there are already many good cows’ milk products available to consumers.
1.The underlined word “those” in paragraph 1 refers to _______.
A.actions B.products C.people D.reasons
2.The company’s founders were motivated to make the new product because of _______.
A.their deep concern for the environment
B.their worry that farm animals were poorly treated
C.the over-consumption of the dairy-based products
D.the poor taste of dairy-free cheese presently available
3.What can be inferred from paragraph 4?
A.The dairy-free products cannot be stored for a long time.
B.Cow farming causes considerable environmental damage.
C.The new products will taste better than dairy-based ones.
D.The dairy-free milk will be more expensive than cow’s milk.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.Healthier Cheese
B.New Milk Saves Planet
C.Making Milk without Cows
D.Fresher Milk, Better Future
As we continue to explore farther out into our solar system and beyond, the question of humans living on other planets often comes up. Manned bases on the Moon or Mars for example, have long been a dream of many. There is a natural desire to explore as far as we can go, and also to extend humanity's presence on a permanent(永久的) or at least semi-permanent basis. In order to do this, however, it is necessary to adapt to different extreme environments. On the Moon for example, a colony must be self-sustaining( 自 立 的 ) and protect its inhabitants from the airless, harsh environment outside.
Mars, though, is different. While future bases could adapt to the Martian environment over time there is also the possibility of modifying(改变) the surrounding environment instead of just co-existing with it. This is the process of terraforming - adjusting Mars’ atmosphere and environment to make it more Earth-like. But the bigger question is, should we?
One of the main issues is whether Mars has any native life or not and if it does, should it be preserved(保护) as much as possible? If the answer is yes, then large-scale human settlements on Mars should be completely off-limits. Small colonies might be fine, but living on Mars should not be at the expense of any native habitats, if they exist. If Mars is home to any indigenous life, then terraforming should be a non-issue; it simply should not be done.
What if Mars is lifeless? Even if no life exists there, that untouched and unique alien environment needs to be preserved as it is as much as possible. We’ve already done too much damage here on our own planet. By studying Mars and other planets and moons in their current natural state, we can learn so much about their history and also learn more about our own world. We should appreciate the differences of other worlds instead of just transforming them to suit our own ambitions.
1.What is the best title for the text?
A.Are Mars and Earth So Different? B.Should we terraform Mars?
C.Can we adapt to Mars? D.Is there life on Mars?
2.What does the author think we should do if life is found on Mars ?
A.Ensure that it's not harmed.
B.Discuss with the Martians.
C.Change the unpopulated regions.
D.Reconsider the advantages and disadvantages.
3.What does the underlined word “indigenous” in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Complex. B.Intelligent C.Foreign. D.Native.
4.How does the author develop his ideas in the text?
A.By referring to others' research.
B.By showing the benefits of terraforming.
C.By arguing in support of one viewpoint.
D.By examining the conditions of different planets.
“I believe in holding onto traditions because they helped our family flourish（兴旺）in a new country. But this concept is more concretely expressed this way: I believe in feeding monkeys on my birthday — something I’ve done without fail for 35 years.
In the Burmese jungle, monkeys are as common as pigeons. But in America, feeding monkeys means violating the rules.
As a kid, I thought that was cool. I learned English through watching bad television shows and expected that I was the chosen warrior（勇士）sent to defend my family. Dad and I would go to the zoo early in the morning, just the two of us. When the Coast was clear, I would throw my peanuts to the monkeys.
I never had to explain myself until my 18th birthday. It was the first year I didn’t go with my father. I went with my friends and arrived 10 minutes after the zoo gates closed. “Please,” I begged the zookeeper, “I feed monkeys for my family, not for me. Can’t you make an exception?” “Go find a pet store,” she said.
If only it were so easy. That time, I got lucky. I found out that a high school classmate trained the monkeys for the movie Out of Africa, so he allowed me to feed his monkeys. Once a man with a pet monkey suspected that my story was a ploy — that I was an animal rights activist out to liberate his monkey. Another time, a zoo told me that outsiders could not feed the monkeys without violating the zookeepers’ collective bargaining agreement. Once in a pet store, I managed to feed a marmoset（狨）being kept in a birdcage. Another time, I was asked to wear a special suit to feed a laboratory monkey.
It’s rarely easy and, yet, somehow I’ve found a way to feed a monkey every year since I was born.
1.Why has the author fed monkeys all these years?
A.To please his father.
B.To develop a new hobby.
C.To celebrate his birthday.
D.To keep up his family tradition.
2.How did the author and his father feed the zoo monkeys?
A.They did it in a secret way.
B.They pretended to be warriors.
C.They did it with the help of friends.
D.They got the zookeeper’s permission.
3.What does the underlined word “ploy” in Paragraph 5 mean?
A.Joke. B.Trick.
C.Excuse. D.Adventure.
4.How is the fifth paragraph mainly developed?
A.By providing examples. B.By giving explanations.
C.By following time order. D.By making comparisons.
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Signature Taco Day Tour
To avoid tourist traps and dive deeper into Mexican culture, our Signature Taco Tour is for you! Our Foodie Guides will show you the best Mexican cuisine, tell you the best stories, and do their very best to keep you eating until you explode. Not only will you go “behind the scenes” and see the deliciousness made for tourists, you'll also learn about Mexican culture and history, plus extras like.
Las Caletas Beach Hideaway
Spend a relaxing day at Las Caletas Beach. The use of diving gear, canoe, and stand-up paddle boards is all available, as well as a scenic nature walk and admission to Kids' Adventure Park for the young ones. Away from the beach, you can seek out plenty of other fun activities including cooking classes and jungle walks.
Jungle Zipline (索道) Tour
Cheer and scream as you zip across the Rio Cuale and above the jungle along 11 lines that run from treetop to treetop. The ziplines get progressively longer and allow plenty of time to take in the tropical scenery from the air. When you reach the Tom and Jerry lines, prepare to race against a friend as you will be able to fly at speeds up to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h).
Rhythms of the Night-Sunset Cruise (游船)
As a blanket of stars covers the sky, enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine by candlelight. The buffet-style menu offers a wide-variety of items such as freshly grilled steak, tender chicken, grilled fish, pasta salad, and a mixture of fresh fruit and vegetables. And more importantly, watch the lively performance of ancient ceremony and learn historical and religious stories. Book a place in advance and enjoy your night.
1.In which tour can the tourists experience a sense of flying?
A.Jungle Zipline Tour.
B.Signature Taco Day Tour.
C.Las Caletas Beach Hideaway.
D.Rhythms of the Night-Sunset Cruise.
2.What is the feature of Signature Taco Day Tour?
A.Serving large groups. B.Enjoying Mexican food.
C.Experiencing the history plays. D.Learning about modern Mexican culture.
3.How does Rhythms of the Night-Sunset Cruise differ from the other tours?
A.It needs reservation.
B.It provides Mexican food.
C.It allows visitors to perform in the play.
D.It offers some scenes of historical places.
介绍一个中国的传统节日
假设你是李华，我们一年一度的春节即将临近，你的美国朋友John很想了解相关的习俗文化，请你给他写封信介绍我们的春节。内容应包括：
1.春节的时间和含义；
2.春节的活动习俗。
注意：1. 词数100 左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
参考词汇：春节 the Chinese Spring Festival 农历新年 Chinese New Year
