Elephant seals in funny-looking hats are helping NASA study climate science.
Equipped with specialized sensors that resemble tiny metal hats with antennae(大线），these seals are collecting data that's helping researchers track how heat moves through ocean currents. A team of climate scientists led by Lia Siegelman used this clever technique to track changes in temperature as the seal swam the icy waters of the Antarctic.
With the help of one particularly female seal,the researchers discovered that heat stored at the ocean's depths can sometimes get swirled(打旋）back up to the surface thanks to some deeply penetrating(穿透）currents.While researchers have known that these currents can ferry heat downward into the ocean's interior(内部），the new findings suggest the opposite is true as well-driving a process that can warm the sea's surface as well.
Siegelman thinks it's important to include this new information into existing climate models.Before seals entered the picture,scientists had a pretty limited view of what went on beneath the surface of the Southern Ocean.Here,temperatures can suddenly fall below－1℃,and thick sheets of sea ice block instruments from collecting data.All in all,it's a pretty unappealing area for underwater field work.
But none of that troubles southern elephant seals,which spend nine to ten months of each year at sea,swimming thousands of miles and diving up to half a mile beneath the ocean surface-usually about 80 times a day.
So Siegelman and her colleagues tagged a female elephant seal on the Kerguelen Islands.The researchers followed her 3,000-mile journey,during which she dived 6,333 times."Even when they sleep,they dive,"Siegelman said.“They float down like a leaf."
Combined with satellite images,the wealth of data the seal recovered gave Siegelman and her team a clearer picture than they'd ever been afforded before.It's probably safe to say that the significance of this was lost on the seal.But from the human perspective(观点），it's clear seals are filling in some massive gaps in knowledge.
1.How did the researchers collect climate data in the Antarctic?
A.By testing a high-tech hat.
B.By studying a seal's behavior.
C.By measuring the water temperature.
D.By attaching a sensor to a seal's head.
2.The new findings indicate that_
A.ocean currents can drive heat up to the surface
B.heat can be taken down into the ocean's interior
C.the warm temperatures can help seals dive deep
D.the world's waters can balance global warming
3.The researchers used seals to monitor the Southern Ocean probably because.
A.the scenery is unattractive
B.the sea floor is changeable
C.seals are aggressive hunters
D.seals are extraordinary divers
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.Seals help us observe the unknown world.
B.Satellites are used to track human activities.
C.The ocean presents a more beautiful picture.
D.Data are analyzed for better survival of seals.
The 1953 painting"Goyita"by Rafael features his mother with a red scarf on her head,a determined look on her face,and heavy expression lines,a portrait(画像）of a working-class woman that broke from traditional ones of the time that focused largely on wealthy men.
“Goyita"is one of more than 350 paintings from Puerto Rico that Google Arts&Culture digitized(数字化）for the first time with help from"Hamilton"creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who started the online exhibition that features works from four Puerto Rican art institutions.
The aim is to expose the world to Puerto Rican art,preserve it,and help museums in the U.S.that are struggling to exhibit paintings because of limited space and budget cuts.
Puerto Rico's artwork joins Google's current online exhibitions and stories from around the world.As part of the project,Google brought its so-called"art camera"for the first time to Puerto Rico.The camera has an extremely high resolution(分辨率）thanks to a 400 millimeter zoom(镜头）that uncovers details invisible to the human eye,including brush strokes(笔法）。It also allowed those at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture to find the signature of a pioneering female artist.
The camera took thousands of pictures to digitize 48 pieces of Puerto Rican art as it went inches by inches to cover an entire painting,a job that took 30 minutes to several hours depending on the size of the artwork,said Simon Delacroix,U.S.lead for Google Arts&Culture.
As Mr.Delacroix showed the power of the zoom on a painting called"El Gobernador Don Miguel Antonio de Ustariz",a collective"Wow"escaped from the audience attending the project at the Museum of Puerto Rico.The crowd could appreciate details in the background including someone that appears to be laughing from a balcony.
Google Arts&Culture already allows users to explore more than 2,000 museums and historic sites including Nelson Mandela 's prison cell.In total,it offers more than 6 million photos,videos,and other documents.
1.What do we know about the painting"Goyita"?
A.It is a traditional portrait. B.It is a painting by Miranda.
C.It describes a wealthy man. D.It features a working-class woman.
2.What does a Google camera uncover about Puerto Rico's artwork?
A.Its world-famous stories. B.Its humour and complexity.
C.Its depth and richness. D.Its historical backgrounds.
3.How did the audience feel the power of the zoom?
A.Amazed. B.Terrified. C.Confused. D.Disappointed.
4.What's the best title for the text?
A.Google bans its painting show B.Google digitizes Puerto Rican art
C.Google helps museums to survive D.Google launches its high-tech camera
Every Christmas,the firm I worked for raised money for disadvantaged kids in the area,and every Christmas I'd drive out with colleagues to deliver gifts.Some years ago, we were returning to work and stopped at an intersection as the lights turned red.
We were in the middle lane and I became aware of an SUV(越野车）coming up behind us at speed;at the last moment,it switched to the righthand lane and carried straight on past the red light into traffic moving west to east.It crashed into another vehicle,causing it to veer off(转向），then they both skidded to a stop.
There was a loud"Bang"and flames leapt from the SUV 's front.I had been a volunteer firefighter for many years and had attended automobile accidents before.As the flames grew fiercer,I knew the car's battery had exploded and that there was no time to lose.I dashed round to the passenger side.The door was locked,but by pulling on the window frame,I managed to tear it open.I leaned in,unbuckled the driver's belt and pulled him across to the passenger side.
Other than some cuts,he was fine.I left him with my workmates and went to check on the driver of the other car,who was also unhurt.Then I headed back to the intersection, where I directed traffic around the burning vehicle until the emergency services arrived.
On the way back to work,I said to my colleagues:"What you saw,keep it under your hats,OK?"But an hour later I had a call from a friend on a local TV station."Brad,"he said,"I have a picture here that someone's sent in of you helping out at a traffic accident."
I hoped that would be the end f it,but the story was to have an unexpected ending. A couple of weeks after the accident,I agreed to a televised reunion with Michael Walker, the guy I'd pulled from the car.He thanked me,and then he introduced me to his daughter, Amber.It turned out she had been separated from her mum and dad,but returned home after the accident.Knowing this family had been reunited was greatly comforting to me-a real Christmas gift.
1.The car crash was caused by
A.the SUV driver's running the red light
B.the traffic chaos at the intersection
C.the heavy traffic during Christmas
D.the author's car blocking the way
2.Who saved the trapped driver from the burning car?
A.The emergency services. B.The author.
C.The author's workmates. D.A pedestrian.
3.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 5 mean?
A.Cover up the hair. B.Hide the face.
C.Keep it secret. D.Bear it in mind.
4.What was a real Christmas gift to the author?
A.The reunion with the saved driver.
B.Acquaintance with Michael' s daughter.
C.Raising money for disadvantaged kids.
D.Michael' s family reunion after the accident.
Selected films for International Children's Day
International Children's Day is around the corner and we have selected two children's movies for you to enjoy this special day with your kids.Free online access to the films will be available for a limited period of time,and feel free to pick them up.The films are provided by www.1905.com.
A Journey to the Seaside
A driver,Shen Tong,played by actor Sha Yi,receives an order sending an 8-year-old boy and his dog from Beijing to Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province.Shen unwillingly accepts the order just for the payment.On the way,he and the boy go through many experiences together,which changes their attitudes.At the end of the journey,Shen finds there might be some relations between him and the boy.This is a journey that cures two lonely hearts-one of an adult,the other a child.
Click here to watch the film www.1905.com/vod/play/1451546.shtml.
Running Like Wind
Adapted from a true story,this inspiring film tells a tale of a group of girls from the Li ethnic group who never played soccer before,but who manage to realize a soccer dream with tears and laughter after overcoming all sorts of difficulties.
The film is full of conflicts between tradition and modernity,and apart from displaying sportsmanship and youthful energy,it also stresses the significance of friendship.
Click here to watch the film www.1905.com/vod/play/1458181.shtml.
1.What is special about the selected films?
A.They are selected by parents.
B.They are intended for children.
C.They are free online at any time.
D.They are available at the cinema.
2.In A Journey to the Seaside,the driver and the boy.
A.turn out to be relatives
B.are freed from loneliness
C.bargain over the payment
D.abandon the dog on the way
3.What do we know about the girl players in Running Like Wind?
A.They like crying and laughing.
B.They often come into conflicts.
C.They make their dream a reality.
D.They stress their personal value.
假定你是李华，你的英国朋友Peter来信向你咨询如何才能学好中文。请你根据下列要点写封建议信。
要点：1. 参加中文学习班；
2. 看中文书刊、电视；
3. 学唱中文歌曲；
4. 交中国朋友。
注意：1. 词数100左右；2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；3. 开头语自己写。
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(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\）划掉。
修改:在错的词下画一横线,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。
My parents have decide to take me to Britain for a visit. I am excited, hoping make good use of this opportunity. Firstly, I will talk to native speaker as much as I can to improve my English. Secondly, there are many attractions that interest me a lot of, among that is Big Ben. Beside, football, which is popular in England, is my favorite sport. I have been dreaming of watch a living football match there and now the dream will come true. My friend Alice live in London. I will probable meet her. Whatever I do. I am sure I will have an good time.
