As free as they make us, mobile phones still need to stay close to a power source. Soon that may change with "green" power.
Three Chilean students got the idea for a plant-powered device(装置) to charge their cellphones, while sitting in their school's outdoor courtyard during a break from exams, with dead mobile phones. Then, one of them had an "aha" moment.
“It occurred to Camila to say about plants, "said inventor Evelyn Aravena. "Why don't you have a socket, if there are so many plants? 'After that, we thought, why don't they have a charging outlet? Because there are so many plants and living things that have the potential to produce energy, why not? ' "
Their invention — a small biological circuit called E-Kaia - uses the energy plants to produce during photosynthesis(光合作用). A plant uses only a small part of that energy and the rest goes into the soil, and that's where the E-Kaia collects it. The device plugs into the ground and then into your phone.
"It's the most amazing project I've ever seen in my life, plain and simple. They brought this original model, and it worked — and that's when it all changed, at least from my personal point of view and I began to support them. " said Mauricio Cifuentes.
The device solved two problems for the engineering students — they needed an idea for a class project, and an outlet to plug in their phones.
"Looking for a place to charge the notebook, which had no power, and the mobile phones, we weren't able to find anything because all the other students were in the same state of madness trying to find a place to charge their devices," said Aravena.
But plants are everywhere, and the biocircuit makes the best of their excess(过多的) power.
The E-Kaia doesn't carry much charge but it's powerful enough to completely recharge a mobile phone in less than two hours.
The student inventors have applied for patents on their technology, and expect the E-Kaia to go on sale in December 2016.
1.How could the students get the "green" power idea?
A. By carrying out an experiment.
B. Just from an occasional thought.
C. With the support of their professors.
D. Enlightened(启发) by the information in a science book.
2.How does the device work?
A. By using the energy during photosynthesis. B. By using a small biological circuit.
C. By using the electricity stored in the device. D. By using a device buried in the ground.
3.What can we learn from what Mauricio Cifuentes said?
A. He intended to buy the patent.
B. The device was made in a rough way.
C. He showed great interest in the device.
D. He attempted to produce the device in large numbers.
4.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. A New Device to Change the World
B. Green Power - A New and Potential Source
C. Chilean Students Find A Green Way to Charge Phones
D. A New Device Invented by Chilean Students Will Be on Sale
There are some places in the world that one wants to return again and again. After my first visit to Boracay, Philippines, in March of last year, I knew that I would return soon. I was there again in April this year.
It was on the island that I first tried kite-surfing. The Bulabog Beach on the eastern side of Boracay has many wind-surfing and kite-surfing sports centers. I randomly chose a center, which happened to be an affiliation(附属机构) of International Kiteboarding Organization.
The organization has training centers around the world, and some of its courses are tailored for beginners like me.
The center on Boracay has different courses, from recreational to professional. In the recreational category, trainees have to do the "discovery" level before they go on to more advanced levels.
My instructor Brian, who was from the United States, strictly followed the center's rules about levels, and began the training by asking me to set up the kite on the sand, which was the very first step at the ground level of the "discovery" course.
I had a teammate, and we both couldn't wait to have the feeling of riding with the wind on the surface of the water. But we had to practice at length the various skills for assessing the direction of the wind and the move-ments of our bodies.
It was there in March, which was still the windy season on the island. Because of the winds, the Philippines were important on the ancient marine (海上的) trade route. They call the wind Amihan, or trade winds.
From May to October, the Amihan wind is channeled through the hills on the northern and southern ends of the island from the east onshore, and onto the Bulabog Beach on the eastern coast of the island.
1.Do you think why the author returned to Boracay?
A. Because it is a small island in the Philippines.
B. Because he intended to settle down there.
C. Because the place was very attractive.
D. Because the kite-surfing on this island was rather exciting.
2.What does the underlined word "tailored" in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. lost B. known C. cancelled D. designed
3.What kind of person is Brian?
A. Easy-going. B. Strict. C. Dull. D. Friendly.
4.Why did the Philippines call the wind "trade winds"?
A. Because the Philippines started to trade in the windy season.
B. Because the winds made the Philippines active in the ancient time.
C. Because the Philippines had been relying on the winds to trade.
D. Because the winds benefited the Philippines a lot in the ancient maritime trade.
Lying in Victoria, Australia, Phillip Island Nature Parks is a beautiful seaside holiday destination with perks(好处) like no other in the world. If you're seeking a relaxing, adventurous and memorable coastal holiday, Phillip Island is perfect for you. Full of family attractions, friendly wildlife, sheltered swimming spots and beautiful beaches and bays, it is really hard to find a reason not to take a holiday.
Philip Island's most famous and popular family attractions are The Penguin Parade and The Koala Conservation Centre.
Operating Hour
OPENING TIME: 10 a. m.
CLOSING TIME: Varies
Closed on Christmas Day, 25 December
Location
1019 ventor Rd, Phillip Island, Victoria 3922
3 Parks Pass Ticket
The ticket gives you standard entry to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Parks, as well as standard entry to the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
All tickets will have 12 months validity from the time of purchase. Tickets will be delivered to your inbox within 60 minutes of the purchase. Please print out all tickets and take along with you to the attraction.
How to Get There
CAR: Phillip Island is an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne. Travel along the Monash Freeway(MI) away from Melbourne and turn off at the South Gippsland Highway exit. Continue travelling on the South Gippsland Highway(M420) and follow the signs for the Phillip Island onto the Bass Highway(A420). At the Anderson roundabout(环岛), turn right onto the Phillip Island Tourist Road(B420). At San Remo, cross the bridge onto the Phillip Island. Follow the signs to reach the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, and Churchill sland Heritage Farm. The attractions are no more than a 15-minute drive from each other.
BUS: V/Line runs daily coach services between Southern Cross Station and Cowes on Phillip Island, via Grantville, Corinella, Bass, San Remo and Newhaven. For detailed information contact V/Line on 136 196 or visit www. vline. com. au.
Please note: The bus takes the main road into Cowes and does not stop at any of the Nature Parks' attractions.
1.What does the author think of a visit to the Phillip Island Nature Parks?
A. Cheap. B. Dangerous. C. Instructive. D. Worthwhile.
2.How can a visitor get the ticket he/she buys?
A. By fax. B. By e-mail. C. By letter. D. By express.
3.Which road is the nearest to the Penguin Parade?
A. The Monash Freeway. B. The South Gippsland Highway.
C. The Bass Highway. D. The Phillip Island Tourist Road.
书面表达(满分25分)
假定你是李华，最近你发现在英语写作方面有着许多困难。就此请你写封邮件给你的美国朋友Andy，主要内容如下：
1.描述该情况；
2.表达想改变的愿望；
3.征求他的建议。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贾；
3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Andy，
How are you getting on?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Yours,
Li Hua
短文改错(共10小题；每小题l分，满分10分)
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：在错的词下划一横线，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。
Last night a strong wind as well as heavily rain struck our area. News came that the trees in the park two kilometers away from our school was blown down. This afternoon, we set off the park to do some cleaning. The head of the park met us or gave us some advice on how to clear away the falling trees, branches and leaves. Some times later, we were working hard when it begins to rain. Because few of us had taken along umbrellas or raincoats, so we were all wet. A rain lasted about an hour and it was a pity that they had to stop our work.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
In recent years many TV shows have become extremely popular among Chinese audience. Those programs, ranging from talent or dating shows to reality shows 1 (receive) both commercial success and public attention.
Their popularity is 2 (main) based on simple facts. First, they care 3 social concerns. Second, without exception, they explore a perfect balance between the international forms and Chinese expressions.
Despite apparent highlights, much room 4 (leave) for improvement. Above all, commercial interests often outweigh 5 （education）purposes, causing many complaints about the 6 (bearable) advertisements. In addition, some sharp remarks, 7 they are eye-catching, may have misleading effects on the youth.
In my opinion, such shows should shoulder more responsibility instead of merely 8 (entertain) the public. 9 is expected, these programs should be positive in their forms as well as functions. Meanwhile, the 10 (medium) should also safeguard the values of our society.
