To move visual technology into the future, sometimes it helps to make a little noise. Researchers have used sound waves to produce floating 3-D images, create a sense of touch and even supply a soundtrack.
Since the 1940s, scientists have toyed with the concept of acoustic levitation(声悬浮), the use of soundwave vibrations to trap tiny things in midair. The technology has gained greater capabilities in the past decade. Some researchers believe this improvement could lead to applications such as contributing to novel 3-D printing methods, or creating displays that would be visible from any angle without requiring a screen.
Other researchers have also worked on visual displays that use acoustic levitation. In addition to visuals, the system can also produce audible noise to give the display a soundtrack. And the ultrasound speakers can also concentrate vibrations in one spot so that a finger might feel a sense pushing back—a little like the object shown by the floating image is really there. Soundwaves create a 3-D display!
Display without a screen is remarkably useful. It means that everybody in the room can see the image—any angle, location—and that’s extremely helpful. As a communications system, such a display might one day allow users to chat with a 3-D projection(投影) of a person who can turn his or her head to follow as they move around a room.
The display will require a lot more work before you can install it in your living room, however. So far, this has been done in the research laboratory. We need to push it a little bit harder. We need to do more analysis to see if it would make sense to create a real display that people would have at home. The current system can only show simple graphics, such as a smiley face or figure eight, in real time.
Still, we are optimistic about the potential for this type of technology. If the system had only one speaker-covered surface instead of two, it could generate images that are bigger than the device itself. We can’t make a TV image that’s bigger than the TV—even a projector has to have a projection screen that’s bigger than the image itself. But with a volumetric(容积的) display, a small, portable device might produce a much larger picture. We can imagine, in the future, having volumetric displays in watches, for example, that create large images that just project out of your watch.
1.From the first two paragraphs soundwave vibrations can be used to _________.
A.catch very small objects in midair
B.develop 3-D printer’s capabilities
C.replace a creative display screen
D.compose soundtracks by making no noise
2.What do we know about display without a screen?
A.It has resulted in visual technology.
B.It is possible to see the image from any direction.
C.It is already ripe to create a real one at home.
D.It has yet to be tested in the research laboratory.
3.What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?
A.Outlooks for the new technology.
B.Situations of the modern technology.
C.Praise for the cutting-edge technology.
D.Room for the technical improvement.
4.What can be a suitable title for the passage?
A.Hearing Is Seeing—Sound Waves Create a 3-D Display
B.Seeing is Believing—3-D Printing Methods Arrive
C.Advancing Sense of Touch—3-D Images Float in the Air
D.Promoting TV Technology—Chat with 3-D Projections
A new study shows that air pollution can cause a huge reduction in our intelligence. The study was a project involving researchers at Peking University in China and Yale University in the United States.
The researchers reported that long-term exposure to air pollution can affect a person's mental abilities in two areas: Language and math.
The researchers studied about 25,000 people from across China. Between 2010 and 2014, these Chinese men, women and children were given language and math tests. Then researchers compared the test results with measurements of pollution in the air, namely nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide （二氧化硫）.
Xi Chen of the Yale School of Public Health led the study. He and his team found that breathing polluted air can reduce a person's education level by about one year.
Chen said that the effect generally is worse for those over 64 years of age, for men and for those with little or no education.
“The older persons—they are more affected. And we find, quite amazingly, males are more affected than females. And people working outdoors are more affected than people working indoors.
He noted that the youngest people in the study were 10 years old, while the oldest was 90 years old. They came from China's 33 provinces. In his words, the data and facts are convincing and this range of ages and locations across the country provided a real, objective and representative sample.
The researchers noted that the effect of air pollution on verbal ability is even more serious as people age, especially among men and the less educated. The researchers also stressed that every country, whether developed, developing or poor, should focus on air pollution or humans will face a bad situation.
1.What is the result of the study?
A.Air pollution has a bad effect on people's intelligence.
B.Females are more affected by air pollution than males.
C.Americans are more affected by air pollution than Chinese.
D.People working indoors are actually not affected by air pollution.
2.What did Chen say about the study?
A.It is doubtful.
B.It is extremely unfair.
C.It is common and not representative.
D.It is relatively objective and persuasive.
3.What did the researchers emphasize in the last paragraph?
A.The data from the 33 provinces is convincing.
B.The whole world should pay attention to air pollution.
C.The less educated take more responsibility for air pollution.
D.Air pollution's influence on verbal ability is less serious as people age.
4.Where is the text most likely taken from?
A.A life diary. B.A guidebook.
C.A science magazine. D.A biography.
Some 15 years ago, Ross Willard volunteered with a food program in Harrisburg Pa. He found children riding bicycles with brakes that didn't work. The retired railroad manager saw the importance of safely riding for children, so he began repairing bicycle on street corners.
Over time, more and more people came to have their bicycles repaired. Mr. Willard opened his first shop in 2007 and three years later he founded his own company Recycle Cycle Harrisburg. The all-volunteer nonprofit organization has been offering service for residents in the community. Regular visitors include children and their parents, as well as halfway house residents seeking to perform community service hours while so building their own bikes.
The organization has a do-it-yourself philosophy: Although there is no charge for any repair, or even bicycles, most visitors( except young children)are tasked with making their own repairs with the assistance of volunteer trainers.
Since its founding, Recycle Bicycle has distributed thousands of donated bikes to the Harrisburg community averaging about 900 per year in the past decade. He's known as “Mr. Bicycle, around the Pennsylvania capital. He estimates that the organization repairs some 3,000 bikes a year.
Sitting in the organization’s shop space, he discusses the volunteerism and sense of service that were imprinted on him as a child by his parents. This led to a strong belief about fixing problems that one finds in the community.
1.Why did Willard begin repairing cycles on street comers?
A.He needed to make some extra money.
B.He decided to set up his own business.
C.He wanted to ensure the safety of cyclists.
D.He felt bored with the food program.
2.What does “do-it-yourself philosophy” aim at?
A.Young children. B.Volunteer trainers.
C.Shoppers. D.Visitors.
3.Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined word “imprinted”?
A.impressed B.realized C.ignored D.depended
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.Repairing a bicycle yourself can save time and money.
B.Community needs bicycle repair service.
C.How to repair a bicycle.
D.The organization offers service for the community.
The 1972 Hawaii episodes opened the fourth season of The Brady Bunch, and they have become a beloved part of pop culture. Here are the top places where the Hawaii episodes of The Brady Bunch were filmed.
Sheraton Waikiki
Location: 2255 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
The entrance to the Sheraton Waikiki has not changed all that much. All of its original charm remains. You can even book an ocean-view room like the Brady family would have enjoyed. Be sure to also check out the breathtaking infinity pool.
Halona Blowhole Lookout
Location: 8483 Highway 72, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
During their tour of Hawaii, the Bradys looked in the wonder at the still-active Halona Blowhole. It's one of Hawaii's many natural wonders. The rock formation and blowhole shoots ocean water spray high into the air when the waves roll in.
Although there are no active volcanoes on Oahu now, their effects on the island linger. The best time to come here is when winds are strong and the tide is high.
View Rabbit Island from Makapu'u Beach Park
Location:41-095 Kalanianaole Highway, Makapu'u Point, Hawaii 96795
The Brady girls enjoyed the view of Rabbit Island. Although it's referred to by its nickname in the episodes, the real name of Rabbit Island is Manana Island. It got its nickname because many rabbits used to inhabit the area. It's now an uninhabited islet on the eastern end of Oahu.
Hula dancing on the Ocean Lawn of the Royal Hawaiian
Location: 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
It's believed that the Brady ladies enjoyed their hula lesson on the Ocean Lawn of the Royal Hawaiian, a luxury collection resort. The ocean Lawn is a great place for a selfie because you can see the ocean, Diamond Head and other beautiful sights in the background.
The Royal Hawaiian does offer hula lessons to guests, but they aren't held on the Ocean Lawn. If you and your family decide to try hula dancing, try not to get your hula skirts mixed up like Alice and Cindy did!
1.Where should you go to enjoy the ocean waves?
A.Sheraton Waikiki. B.Halona Blowhole Lookout.
C.Rabbit Island. D.Ocean Lawn.
2.What is special about the Rabbit Island?
A.It has active volcanoes.
B.It has incredible sunrise.
C.It got the name because of rabbits.
D.It has remained the same ever since.
3.What can you do on the Ocean Lawn?
A.To take charming pictures for yourself.
B.To learn hula lessons from the locals.
C.To climb seaside rocks and go fishing.
D.To exchange skirts with others for fun.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was the weather like when they climbed the mountain?
A.Windy. B.Snowy. C.Sunny.
2.What trouble did the speaker have during the climbing ?
A.He hurt his legs.
B.He had no time to rest.
C.He had difficulty reaching the top.
3.What does the speaker think of the experience?
A.Challenging . B.Enjoyable. C.Disappointing.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is William’s job?
A.A teacher. B.A guide. C.A designer.
2.Where is Bob from?
A.Italy. B.England. C.France .
3.Whom did the woman go to Italy with ?
A.William. B.Her son. C.Her husband.
4.What will the speakers do next?
A.The woman will show William around.
B.William will teach the woman Italian .
C.They will have lunch together.
