We know the famous ones—the Thomas Edisons and the Alexander Graham Bells—but what about the less famous inventors? What about the people who invented the traffic light and the windshield wiper (雨刮器)？ Shouldn’t we know who they are?
Joan Mclean thinks so. In fact, McLean, a professor of physics at Mountain University in Range, feels so strongly about this matter that she’s developed a course on the topic. In addition to learning “who” invented “what”, however, McLean also likes her students to learn the answers to the “why” and “how” questions. According to McLean, “When students learn the answers to these questions, they are better prepared to recognize opportunities for inventing and more willing to give inventing a try.”
Her students agree. One young man with a patent（专利）for an unbreakable umbrella is walking proof of McLean’s statement. “If I had not heard the story of the windshield wiper’s invention,” said Tommy Lee, a senior physics major, “ I never would have dreamed of turning my bad experience during a rainstorm into something so useful.” Lee is now considering to sell his patent to an umbrella producer.
So, just what is the story behind the windshield wiper? Well, Mary Anderson came up with the idea in 1902 after a visit to New York City. The day was cold and stormy, but Anderson still wanted to see the sights, so she jumped aboard a streetcar. Noticing that the driver was struggling to see through the snow covering the windshield, she found herself wondering why there couldn’t be a built-in device(装置) for cleaning the window. Still wondering about this when she returned home to Birminghan, Alabama, Anderson started drafting out solutions. One of her ideas, a lever (操作杆) on the inside of a vehicle that would control an arm on the outside, became the first windshield wiper.
Today we benefit from countless inventions and innovations. It’s hard to imagine driving without Garrett A. Morgan’s traffic light. It’s equally impossible to picture a world without Katherine J. Blodgett’s innovation that makes glass invisible. Can you picture life without clear windows and eyeglasses?
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Life gets noisier every day and very few people can be free from noise of some sort or another. It doesn't matter where you live--in the middle of a modern city, or a faraway village--the chances are that you' ll be disturbed by jet planes, radios, oil - powered engines, etc. We seem to be getting used to noise, too. Some people feel quite lonely without background music while they' re working.
Scientific tests have shown that total silence can be a very frightening experience for a human being. However, some people enjoy listening to pop music which is very loud, and this can do harm to their eardrums(耳鼓). The noise level in some discos is far above the usual safety level for heavy industrial areas.
One recent report about noise and concentration(专心) suggested that although a lot of people say that any noise disturbs their concentration, what really influences their ability to concentrate is a change in the level of noise. It goes on to say that a background noise which doesn't change too much(music, for example) may even help people to concentrate.
1.According to this passage, the noise pollution .
A. has become the worst in the countryside B. has become better in big cities
C. has spread from cities to villages D. has been controlled in modern cities
2.Some people have their hearing harmed .
A. while listening to pop music B. in complete silence
C. when speaking loudly D. while watching TV
3.Scientists have discovered that what prevents people from concentrating on something is .
A. all kinds of noise B. changes in the level of noise
C. background noise D. popular music
June is always a sad time for Senior Three students. After taking the big test, they leave to 31 their dreams in different ways. It’s hard time when students 32 to say goodbye to carefree high school days and close friends.
People always say that teenage friendships are the most precious. Kids are too young to understand real friendship while adults 33 to relate it to fame and wealth.
Things are 34 with high school best friends. We share each other’s secret. We discuss news from all walks of life and begin to 35 our values. We support each other on the journey to the biggest 36 in our lives. We also share success and failure. The seeds of friendship become deeply rooted.
Many of us don’t realize this 37 we enter society. One of my friends, Yang Ping, 38 how strong the bond with high school friends could be. “ It was my high school friend who helped me get 39 the darkest days in my life,” said the 27-year-old girl.
In 2001 Yang lost her job in Beijing. Yang’s best friend was staying in a college dormitory and took her in. Each night the two girls squeezed into a narrow single bed, chatting and crying. “I’ll never forget her care and encouragement, which supported me out of the darkness,” said Yang.
I 40 remember my last days in Senior 3. At the time, I 41 a 20-page message with my best friend, both of us hoping to keep the friendship 42 forever.
But we didn’t realize we were already deep in each other’s 43 . During the past ten years, whenever I’ve needed help or wanted to pour out my 44 , she has always been there at the other end of a telephone line.
It is true that friends come and go. But never forget the ones who have been there for you. Take a closer look at those now around you, they could be the most precious 45 you discover in your entire life.
1.A. realize B. create C. depend D. finish
2.A.decide B. volunteer C. have D. begin
3.A. attempt B. tend C. plan D. manage
4. A. similar B. same C. like D. different
5.A. weigh B. make C. measure D. shape
6.A. challenge B. trouble C. question D. problem
7.A. unless B. after C. until D. but
8. A. experienced B. appreciated C. considered D. thought
9.A. into B. out C. through D. across
10.A. yet B. even C. already D. still
11.A. changed B. exchanged C. turned D. discussed
12. A. running B. going C. advancing D. marching13.A. head B. brain C. spirit D. heart
14.A. unhappiness B. happiness C. disaster D. joy
15.A. period B. treasure C. wonder D. image
---Hi, Jack. I’m going to take part in the English Speaking Contest tomorrow.
--- Wonderful. _______!
A. Congratulations B. Cheers C. Good luck D. Well done
_______all his efforts he failed, he was so upset about himself that he felt like crying.
A. So long as B. In terms of C. In spite of D. regardless of
--- Why does she always ask you for help? ----- There is no one else _______, is there?
A. who to turn to B. she can turn to C. for whom to turn D. for her to turn
