“Now I just don’t believe that.” Surely all of us, at some point, have watched a movie and thought: It’s simply badly researched, or, the makers must think we’re fools.
If movies were completely scientifically accurate, they’d probably be as interesting as a Physics 101 lecture. In real life, there are no explosions in space, gas usually doesn’t explode from a lit cigarette, and Bruce Willis / Jackie Chan / Will Smith would most likely be in a coma(昏迷) after getting kicked in the head.
Recently, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph ran a humorous piece on unconvincing tech moments from some top movies. Let’s see what they are all about.
Telegraph writer Tom Chivers’ first example is from the end-of-the-world movie Independence Day, in which a character comes up with a virus capable of destroying Windows, the computer system the alien(外星人的) spacecraft uses. “It’s a good thing they didn’t have Norton antivirus,” jokes Chivers.
It’s just one case of a movie that takes a lot of license with its science. Another one Chivers mentions is from Star Wars, where glowing beams of light traveling through space look very impressive. The problem is that in space there are no air particles(颗粒) for the light to reflect off. In reality, they’d not be seen, which wouldn’t look so cool on the big screen.
Chivers’ second piece of Star Wars nonsense is the sound the fighters make in the movies: “ the bellow(咆哮) of an elephant mixed with a car driving on a wet road”. But sound needs a medium to travel through, like air. In space, there wouldn’t actually be any sound at all.
Few people would deny that the mind-bending Matrix films make for great viewing, but for Chivers, the science in the movies is a little silly.
And finally: as Chivers points out, DAN is not replaceable. But this bit of elementary genetics passed the makers of the 2002 Bond film Die another Day by. In the film the villain(坏人) has “gene therapy” to change his appearance and his DNA, which is completely impossible.
1.What does the text mainly deal with?
A. Plots of some famous movies. B. Characters in space movies.
C. Popularity of space movies. D. Mistakes made in some movies.
2.From the first two paragraphs we can know that some movie makers ____.
A. went against general knowledge of science
B. didn’t pay attention to the viewers’ real demand
C. overestimated viewers’ appreciation of movies.
D. didn’t try their best to improve the quality of the movies.
3.What does the underlined word “they” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A. The newspapers. B. Unconvincing tech moments
C. Some top movies. D. Heroes in the movies.
4.We can learn from Paragraph 7 that ____.
A. most people like Matrix films
B. the truth of Matrix films remains in doubt
C. few people think Matrix films silly
D. Chivers thinks science is unacceptable
Andy is the most unreasonable, pigheaded life form in the world, and he makes me so angry I could scream! Of course, I love him like a brother. I have to because he is my brother. More than that, he is my twin! That’s right. Andy and Amy(that’s me) have the same curly(卷曲的) hair and dark eyes and equally stubborn character. Yet, though we may look alike, on most issues(事情) we usually take completely opposite positions. If I say day, you can count on Andy to say night.
Just this week, the hot topic in school was all about the PTA’S proposal(提议) to adopt a school dress principle. Every student would be required to wear a uniform. Uniforms! Can you imagine? Oh, they would be uniforms in color. The dress style would be sort of loose and free.
I think a dress principle is a good idea. The reason is simple. School is tough enough without worrying about looking cool every single day. The fact is, the less I have to decide first thing in the morning, the better. I also wouldn’t mind not having to see guys wearing oversized jeans and shirts. And I certainly would welcome not seeing kids showing off designer clothes.
Andy is surprised at my opinion. He says he can’t believe that I would be willing to give up my all-American teenage birthright by dressing like — well, like a typical teenager. Last night, he even dragged out Mom and Dad’s high school photo albums. What a couple of peace-loving hippies(嬉皮士) they were!
The vote for or against uniforms took place later that day. The results of the vote and the headmaster’s decision will be announced next week. I wonder what it will be. I know how I voted, and I’m pretty sure I know how Andy voted.
How would you vote—for or against?
1.The story is about___________.
A. a school policy decision that will affect parents and students
B. a personal experience and is told in the first person
C. a historical event and is told in the third person
D. a conflict of opinions between boys and girls
2.Amy’s position on school uniforms is most likely based on________.
A. logical conclusions drawn form her own observation and personal experience
B. an aggressive reaction to what she has been told by people in authority
C. her preference for designer-labeled clothes
D. not liking anything her brother likes
3.Which of the following is the best statement of Andy’s position?
A. School clothing should reflect parents’ values.
B. Teenagers should never follow the latest fashions in dress.
C. How one dresses should be an expression of one’s individuality.
D. Wearing school uniforms means one less decision every morning.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. A School Dress Principle.
B. My Stubborn Twin Brother
C. Endless Fights with My Brother
D. For or Against?--- That Is the Question
Half a year before graduation from college, my son began to seek a job. __1__ the financial crisis(危机), fewer companies would like to __2__ new staff. My son targeted a company that was __3__ to hire only one person __4__ there were more than twenty people filling their resumes(简历).
After the interview, there would only be 3 who could enter the final round, which would later ____5____ one person to be employed. Everything seemed to go quite ____6____ and my son passed the first round and entered the final round in a week.
On the day of the final interview, my son and other two __7__ arrived at the interview place on time, __8__ the test. Unexpectedly, the interview was unbelievably __9__. The interviewer only said to them, “All of you are very super. Please go home and wait for our __10__. We will tell you the __11__ in 3 days. Good luck to all of you!” On the morning of the third day, my son received a text from the company shortly after breakfast that he was not employed. We all felt very __12__.
In nightfall that day, my son suddenly told me __13__ on the phone, “Dad, I have been employed!” Greatly surprised, I could not wait to ask him, “What’s the whole __14__?” My son told me that he received another text saying that he was employed. Actually the first text sent to my son was also __15__ of the test in the interview. Three men received the same text this morning and only my son’s __16__ was “Thank you” while the others said “Goodbye”.
Only then did I know that my son’s “hope” __17__ in that way. That is, when you feel disappointed, do not __18__ to say “thank you” to the one who disappoints you. Saying “thank you” shows respect for others’ work and shows your grand __19__. Therefore, while under the same condition, you will get the upper hand in terms of __20__ compared with others!
1.A. As to B. Due to C. Instead of D. Contrary to
2.A. promote B. train C. employ D. discover
3.A. encouraged B. allowed C. supposed D. intended
4.A. while B. since C. though D. if
5.A. meet B. attract C. decide D. represent
6.A. slowly B. smoothly C. secretly D. silently
7.A. members B. students C. friends D. candidates
8.A. waiting for B. watching over C. thinking about D. looking into
9.A. formal B. simple C. funny D. strange
10.A. information B. notice C. order D. return
11.A. result B. choice C. mark D. idea
12.A. annoyed B. puzzled C. disappointed D. shocked
13.A. doubtfully B. excitedly C. calmly D. worriedly
14.A. matter B. cause C. conclusion D. interview
15.A. middle B. ending C. part D. course
16.A. way B. reply C. problem D. question
17.A. changed B. grew C. came D. developed
18.A. expect B. forget C. dislike D. regret
19.A. generosity B. curiosity C. dignity D. personality
20.A. abilities B. strengths C. challenges D. opportunities
____ they decide which college to go to, students should research the admission procedures.
A. Once B. While C. Until D. As
The time and effort he has devoted during the past few years____ trees in that remote area is now considered to be of great value．
A．to plant B．to planting C．plant D．planting
That car accident ____all his life. After that he was limited to a wheelchair.
A. damaged B. destroyed C. harmed D. ruined
