"I'm going to learn at least one dish each week. You just need to sit back and watch." I got off the phone with my mom and clicked on the TV-box-shaped icon （图标）of YouTube. We were just having a bet about whether I would ever be able to teach myself to cook without her step-by-step guidance.
Technology has revolutionized the way we learn. That was what I believed then. However, after two weeks of watching those instructional videos, the reality of my barely improved cooking struck me in the face. To be honest, the result didn't come off as too much of a shock. Deep down, I had always known that perfection relies in no small part on endless hours of meaningful practice.
I am not alone in experiencing this type of failure. With an impressive variety of online resources at our fingertips, it is natural that we use them to our advantage and learn new skills through "watching" them.
There's nothing ineffective about this kind of learning in itself. However, a recent study published in Psychological Science shows that if you watch an expert performing a skill unknown to you for too long, it will raise your self-confidence in a way that it arouses （激发）your unrealistic expectations of yourself. The dissonance between your true ability and your false view of it can have a negative influence on your learning outcome. You might become as discouraged as I was. And if your determination isn't strong enough, you might just give up halfway.
If right now you are considering learning something new through watching online videos, be it juggling pins （杂耍），ice-skating, or even Michael Jackson's timeless moonwalk, don't forget to mix it up with the tried-and-true method of practicing and repeating. And most importantly, try not to get caught up in the feel-good act of watching.
1.What do we know about the author?
A.She knew her failure resulted from lacking practice.
B.She was astonished at her failure to be a great cook.
C.She disagreed with her mom on how to cook.
D.She was misled by some so-called experts.
2.What's the author's opinion of online resources?
A.They are of poor quality.
B.They are helpful in a way.
C.They are difficult of access.
D.They have benefited her a lol.
3.What does the word "dissonance" underlined in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A.Dislike. B.Disbelief
C.Disapproval D.Disagreement.
4.What does the author mainly intend to show readers?
A.Online videos are growing in popularity.
B.Mom is always a good example for us.
C.Watching doesn't make you perfect.
D.Cooking is a useful skill.
Tokyo's newly completed National Stadium was formally opened at a ceremony attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the famous architect Kengo Kuma. Costing around 157 billion yen （$1.4 billion）, the 68,000-seat stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies at both the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. It will also be used for soccer matches and various track-and-field events during the Games.
Kuma said his design features three tiers （层）of seats beneath a partially covered roof made from steel and wood. “With the 2020 Olympics, we wanted to create something that focuses public attention on the environment or the Earth at the time/' he told CNN in an interview in June. “So., we thought that the best material for this era would be wood/'
At Sunday's ceremony, Abe praised the design for achieving ''harmony with the surrounding environment and a Japanese character." But as recently as 2015, the new National Stadium could have looked dramatically different. A futuristic design by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid had initially been selected, though Japan's Olympic organizers eventually gave up the plan because of enormous costs and fierce criticisms. Celebrated architect Arata Isozaki described Hadid's design as a "disgrace to future generations/'
The mission was then passed to 65-year-old Kuma. and he set about reimagining the project in his characteristically organic style. The architect said that his stadium design was partly inspired by Tokyo's Edo-period temples. "All over the world, architecture in the 20th century that uses concrete and steel feels cold and stiff I want to make it softer, kinder, warmer/' said Kuma, whose firm designed the stadium alongside architecture firm Azusa Sekkei. His final design features large roof eaves （屋檐）that encourage air to circulate, allowing breeze （微风）to enter the stadium during hot weather.
"We would like both athletes and audiences to enjoy the stadium, but we also thought of something we can contribute to the community," Kuma said, highlighting the pedestrianized areas he designed around the structure. The late switch of design meant that construction on the stadium did not begin until late 2016. As such, plans for the stadium to host matches in the recent Rugby World Cup were canceled.
1.What can we learn about Tokyo's new National Stadium?
A.It cost about $157 billion in all
B.It uses wood as one of its leading materials.
C.It has several partially covered wooden roofs.
D.It will be used for all ball games during the Games.
2.What's the author's purpose in mentioning Zaha Hadid in Paragraph 3?
A.To expose the beauty of the futuristic design.
B.To report Abe's great appreciation tor her design.
C.To show her contribution to Japanese architecture.
D.To explain why Kama's design was adopted later.
3.Which of the following inspired Kuma's design of the new stadium?
A.Zaha Hadid's designs.
B.Ancient temples in Tokyo.
C.Arata Isozaki's masterpieces.
D.Architecture in the 20th century.
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.The Rugby World Cup matches will be put off.
B.The National Stadium wasn't completed on time.
C.Kuma's design of the community was controversial
D.The construction of the stadium didn't begin until 2017.
Cedar, a third-generation beekeeper from the countryside of New South Wales, Australia, says that he was inspired to try and design a simply hive （蜂箱）after his brother was stung （蛰）during one of their honey-gathering tasks.
The young guy knew that there must be a clever way to gather honey without having to wear protective suits, open the hive, and disturb the little bees. After several years. Cedar and his father Stuart finally perfected their invention—the Flow Hive, which can save beekeepers hours of work simply by channeling all of its honey into a tap that can be turned on and off at will.
Four years after their initial success, the Flow Hive has had a big influence on honeybee populations around the world. The father and his son say that they have successfully shipped over 51,000 hives to 150 different countries. Since they introduced the hive in 2015, the number of beekeeper in the US alone has increased by over 10%.
Their success is particularly significant since honeybee populations have been steadily decreasing as a result of habitat loss. That's why now Stuart and Cedar Anderson are donating their hive earnings to international honeybee advocacy groups.
“We’re proud to have donated 100% of profits from the sale of our Flow Pollinator （传粉昆虫）House to nine local pollinator projects in Australia and the US that are at work protecting wild habitats all around the world," said the Anderson in a statement. "Pollinators need large areas of habitat to grow healthily—the more we can do to conserve native habitats, the more opportunities these tiny environmental champions will have to do their important work."
1.What can we learn about Cedar?
A.He is often hurt by honeybees.
B.He knows a lot about beekeeping.
C.He is from a big city in Australia.
D.He dislikes working with his brother
2.Which of the following best describes the Flow Hive?
A.It simplifies the honey-gathering process.
B.h can help bees produce more honey.
C.It can improve the quality of honey.
D.It is friendly to the environment.
3.Why do the Andersons make donations?
A.To build more Flow Hives.
B.To protect bees' habitats.
C.To protect the environment.
D.To help the poor in Australia.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.True Facts About Honeybees
B.The Growth of a Beekeeper
C."Honey on Tap'' Beehive
D.The Cost of Beekeeping
Onewheel Pint Mini Electric Board
Have fun getting around with the Onewheel Pint Mini Electric Board. Featuring a lightweight design, this device is ideal for trips to the coffee shop and casual riding. Reaching speeds of 16 mph, it offers a range of up to 8 miles on a single charge. Thanks to Simplestop technology, you can enjoy riding the board right away, even if you don't have experience. Moreover, the LED light bar display enables you to see notifications, battery status and more.
Pre-order from Indiegogo: S950
MAXFOOT Premium Affordable Foldable E-Bike
Featuring a foldable design, the MAXFOOT Premium Affordable Foldable E-Bike can take you an incredible 60 miles on a single charge thanks to the 48v lithium battery. When you're looking for a little exercise, you can pedal co your heart's content. When it's time to sit back and enjoy the ride, the power of MAX FOOT will kick in. On the handlebars （车把）is a clear display to show you just how much battery is left as well as your remaining range and speed.
Pre-order from Indiegogo: S797.8
FUELL Fluid Long-Range Commuter E-Bike
Upgrade the way with the FUELL Fluid Long-Range Commuter E-Bike. This powerful e-bike can take you up to 125 miles on a single charge. It comes in two models: the Pedelec and the S-Pedelec. The former offers a top speed of 20 mph while the latter up to 2S mph. Between the handlebars is a built-in full-colour display to give you battery level, distance, and speed. You can even charge your smartphone thanks to the USB charging port
Pre-order from Indiegogo: S2813
Calamus One Ultra-Drive E-Bike
The Calamus One Ultra-Drive E-Bike is an advanced, fast-charging one that will help you climb any mountain. On a single charge, it can travel up to about 50 miles. Additionally, this is a durable （耐用的） e-bike as it has a weatherproof computer and a navigation touch screen. On top of all this, the Calamus One will sense blind spots and warn you through the handlebars if there are any upcoming vehicles.
Pre-order from Indiegogo: SI997
1.Which of the following can travel farthest on a single charge?
A.The Calamus One Ultra-Drive E-Bike.
B.The Onewheel Pint Mini Electric Board.
C.The FUELL Fluid Long-Range Commuter E-Bike.
D.The MAXFOOT Premium Affordable Foldable E-Bike.
2.What is special about the Calamus One Ultra-Drive E-Bike?
A.It has a USB charging port.
B.It features a foldable design.
C.It can warn riders of possible dangers.
D.It is the most expensive of the four products.
3.What do the four products have in common?
A.They all provide navigation.
B.They can all run up to 20 mph.
C.They all have a full-colour display.
D.They can all be booked in advance.
They told the injured driver to stay _______ until the emergency personnel arrived.
A.strict B.still C.swift D.social
1 wish I could do something _______ the kindness I have received from him.
A.in search of B.in preparation for
C.in spite of D.in return for
