Located at Europe’s biggest water park, the Galaxy Erding in South Germany, the world’s first VR water slide takes the exciting experience to a whole new level by offering thrill-seekers the choice of three attractive worlds --- Space, Sky, or Snow. By simply wearing a headset, riders can slide through a magical alien world, follow beautiful butterflies around floating islands or put themselves in a white winter wonderland. To make the experience even more heart-stopping, the 160-meter-long ride that lasts about 35 seconds has two uphill tracks that provide a roller-coaster-like experience.
While the tire slide, which has been successfully tested by almost 10,000 park goers since it opened in February 2018, is impressive, the technology behind it, developed by California startup Ballast is even more so. The specially-created waterproof headsets can be worn in water up to a few meters deep, without harming the delicate Samsung Galaxy S8 mobile devices that run the custom software for the VR experiences. The headsets also charge wirelessly (无线地), allowing park operators to swap out sets throughout the day.
The biggest challenge the company faced, however, was providing a suitable VR experience for everyone. That’s because unlike roller coasters, where the speed is fixed for all riders, water slide speeds vary depending on the weight of the person. To overcome the issue, Ballast fixed smart sensors (传感器) in important areas along the slide to keep track of the rider’s progress at all times. The information, conveyed through the headset, allows the custom software to adjust his or her location within the virtual world accordingly, making for a smooth, seasickness free ride for all.
Though Ballast is thrilled at Space Glider’s success, the company has bigger ambitions. They want to create an experience where guests will be able to swim underwater surrounded by virtual dolphins, whales, and even sharks, without wearing the heavy headsets!
1.What can people do if they go to the Galaxy Erding?
A. They can swim with dolphins.
B. They can explore the outer space.
C. They can experience VR water slide.
D. They can swap out sets all day long.
2.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The tire slide has been successfully tested so far.
B. Water slide speed vary depending on the age of the person.
C. Thrill-seekers take the exciting experience by wearing a headset.
D. The specially-created waterproof headsets can be applied in water.
3.What can help park goers experience a smooth, seasickness free ride?
A. The painkillers.
B. The fixed speed.
C. A sensor fixed in important areas.
D. Virtual dolphins, whales and sharks.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the VR water slide?
A. objective B. subjective C. opposed D. indifferent
Actor Warwick Davis realized he was shorter than other people when he was eight years old. He suddenly noticed all his schoolmates were twice his size. It was then that the effect of having dwarfism hit him for the first time.
Now aged 48, Davis says, “I have very fond memories of school but I realized I had to become a little bit louder and funnier so I wouldn’t get left out of conversations. I became quite the performer, so being short was my training in acting.”
It worked. Director George Lucas cast young Warwick as the Ewok Wicket in Return of the Jedi. The actor has gone on to star in many TV shows and films, including playing Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter films.
Warwick’s dwarfism means he is 1.07 meters tall, while the average UK adult male height is 1.78 meters. Most types of dwarfism are caused by a genetic disorder that stops some of the body’s building blocks working properly.
Davis has a positive attitude to being “different”. He says, “If I had my life all over again, I would choose the same job and be the same height. I have enjoyed every minute. At school I played rugby and football and tried long jump and high jump. I wasn’t very good at them but I always had a go. I defeated everyone at chin-ups (引体向上) because I had a low body weight combined with a strong upper body from climbing up to the top cupboards to reach the biscuit boxes at home.”
Warwick is supporting Jeans for Genes Day, a charity raising public concern for millions of children born with genetic disorders in the U.K. He says, “Even if you can only give a tiny amount of money, it will make such a difference to the children.”
1.Why did Warwick Davis decide to become a little bit louder and funnier?
A. It was his training in his acting.
B. He didn’t want to be ignored by his classmates.
C. The effect of having dwarfism influenced him strongly.
D. The genetic disorder prevented his body from working properly.
2.What can be inferred from paragraph 5?
A. Davis has a positive attitude to being “different”.
B. Davis turns his short body to his advantage at chin-ups.
C. Davis is not fond of rugby and football, long jump and high jump.
D. Davis doesn’t want to choose the same job if he can live his life again.
3.Warwick Davis can be best described as “___________”.
A. pleased B. independent C. sensitive D. confident
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. My Strong Upper Body B. Dwarfism Caused by Genetic Disorder
C. Height Is Not My Limitation D. More Money, Bigger Difference
I was deeply moved by the kindness of an elderly flower seller at Sydney’s Central Station one evening.
I was feeling as cold as the winter winds quickening the steps of the people who buried chins (下巴) in scarves and hands deep into coat pockets. In many ways, 2018 had proven an arduous year. My teenage daughter had left home for university, my job of 23 years was no more, and a creative project I’d given my all to for years had also been suddenly called off. I also found out a person I considered a friend was far from it.
A year earlier, I’d dreamt about an earthquake. In the dream, a red light flashed inside a building and then the earth began to rock. Walls fell down on me as I ran into the open, feeling sorry for the people I hadn’t loved enough. Before I was buried completely by the falling world, I shouted, “Abuelo, ayudame,” in my native Spanish. “Grandfather, help me!”
Now, with the very real aftershocks of a series of unexpected endings, I walked into a little flower shop to buy a gift for a friend. The gentleman at the shop looked at me and turned away for a moment, returning with a fragrant flower. “For you. You need to smile today,” he said in a rich and beautiful accent, offering me the flower with eyes full of care. It took all my strength not to cry. Then he gave me a grandfatherly hug that made me want to tell him everything.
Instead, I thanked him and headed for the train. How did he know? I wondered. For the first time in weeks, I felt hope.
1.The underlined word in the second paragraph means “_____________”.
A. puzzled B. mixed C. hard D. meaningful
2.What is the third paragraph mainly about?
A. A detailed description of the author’s dream.
B. The help that the author got from his grandfather.
C. An earthquake that the author came across before.
D. The author’s sorry thoughts for the people he hadn’t loved enough.
3.What drove the author to walk into the flower shop?
A. Series of unexpected things.
B. The fragrant flowers in the shop.
C. The gentleman in the flower shop.
D. The idea of sending a gift to a friend.
4.Why did the author feel hope in the end?
A. Because the gentleman showed his concern for the author.
B. Because the gentleman gave the author a grandfatherly hug.
C. Because the gentleman at the shop sent him a fragrant flower.
D. Because the gentleman said some words in a rich and beautiful accent.
King's College Summer School is a training program every year for high school students at all levels who want to improve their English. Courses are given by the teachers of King's College and other colleges in New York. Trips to museums and culture centers are also organized. This year's summer school will be from July 25 to August 15.
More information is as follows:
Application date Students in New York should send their applications before July 18, 2007. Students of other cities should send their applications before July 16, 2007. Foreign students should send their applications before July 10, 2007. | Courses English Language Spoken English: 22 hours Reading and Writing: 10 hours American History: 16 hours American Culture: 16 hours |
Steps A letter of self-introduction A letter of recommendation(推荐) ﹡ The letters should be written in English with all the necessary information. | Cost Daily lessons: $200 Sports and activities: $100 Travels: $200 Hotel service: $400 ﹡You may choose to live with your friends or relatives in the same city. |
Please write to: Thompson, Sanders 1026 King' s Street New York, NY 10016, USA E-mail: KC-Summer-School@ yahoo, com |
1.You can most probably read the text in ________.
A. a newspaper B. a travel guide C. a textbook D. a telephone book
2.Which of the following is true about King' s College Summer School?
A. Only top students can take part in the program.
B. Only the teachers of King' s College give courses.
C. King' s College Summer School is run every other year.
D. Visits to museums and culture centers are part of the program.
3.If you are to live with your relatives in New York, you will have to pay the school ______.
A. $200 B. $400 C. $500 D. $900
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is wrong with Taylor Swift?
A. She is sick. B. She hurt herself. C. She has a new band.
2.When will Taylor Swift’s July shows be held?
A. In May. B. In October. C. In December.
3.Which concert was canceled last weekend?
A. The one in Florida. B. The one in Canada. C. The one in Texas.
4.Who recently interviewed Taylor Swift?
A. MTV News. B. Speak Now TV. C. The official Taylor Swift website.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What company does the man work for?
A. Apple. B. Google. C. Facebook.
2.Why does the man want to quit his job?
A. He wants to write about food.
B. He wants to make more money.
C. He wants to open his own restaurant.
3.How will the man make money after he quits his job?
A. By selling books on his website.
B. By working for different restaurants.
C. By getting payment from some companies.
4.When might the man quit his job?
A. Tomorrow. B. Next month. C. Next year.
