The popular streaming service Netflix announced plans to exclude (排除) tobacco use from any of its new shows and movies that target younger audiences, specifically those below the age of 15. According to media reports, the decision comes from pressure from Truth Initiative, a large non-profit organization aiming to get rid of tobacco and make its use “a thing of the past”.
Smoking is a bad habit and no parents want their kids to start smoking. As such, excluding the vice (坏习惯) from television shows and movies young people watch makes good sense. I’ll acknowledge that Netflix’s decision to exclude smoking is a good one — but it’s a wildly inconsistent standard. What about other vices? For example, the use of bad language?
As parents of three young boys, my wife and I are trying to expose our children to good things. We want to encourage them to grow up to become responsible men who see the value and potential in every person. We want to see them avoid the landmines that so often entrap young people today.
Sadly, typical television shows and movies contain material that’s the exact opposite of that. It’s often said that companies only produce what people will consume — and there’s some truth in such a claim. But the organization I work for has long had an online site that helps parents know about what's in a movie, show or music album. We don’t tell you whether you should watch or listen — we simply let you know what it’s about — and let you decide. It’s our most popular site, attracting millions of visits each month.
Netflix might be surprised how many new customers they would win if they started producing content that parents actually want instead of themes that regularly stand in opposition to the values of the millions of moms and dads like me who want to see our kids accomplish more in life rather than simply avoiding the smoking habit.
1.Why did Netflix plan to cut smoking from youth-targeted content?
A.Because of appeals from parents.
B.Because of the influence of media reports.
C.Because of requests from young audiences.
D.Because of pressure from a tobacco control organization.
2.What are “the landmines” in Paragraph 3?
A.Bad habits. B.Comfort zones.
C.Unrealistic dreams D.Improper friendships.
3.What does the online site mentioned in Paragraph 4 do?
A.It teaches parenting skills.
B.It promotes youth programs.
C.It advertises movies and shows.
D.It serves as an entertainment guide.
4.What does the author think of Netflix’s decision to exclude tobacco use?
A.It is helpless.
B.It is far from enough.
C.It is against popular values.
D.It is a warning to tobacco makers.
In a world where nearly 6 million fingerprint records of government employees are stolen in one computer hack, and here millions of people are victims of identity theft every year, the next step in cybersecurity may well be mapping your brain.
Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York are working on a biometric system that records how your brain reacts to certain images. With a little more polishing, the scientists’ brainchild could become the way you get into a safe deposit box, your office or past scanners at the airport. It could replace the password for your online banking, your email or your social media accounts.
The started their project by measuring the brain waves of 30 subjects, The subjects were fitted with a cap that had 30 electrodes attached to it, and then shown various images and symbols—celebrity faces, words, pictures of food—on a computer screen in 200- millisecond bursts. The brain's reaction was recorded.
The idea is that every time a person needs to use a “password”, he or she goes through the same procedure, and the results are matched with their first-time reaction. If the “brainprint”' is compromised—like what happened with the fingerprint records—then the system is merely reset by running another set of images and collecting a different set of brain waves. “Even if that was stolen, you could just cancel it and record one to something else”, says professor Laszlo.
Laszlo and her team have shown that their system can be 100 percent accurate. So one of the more difficult parts of making the system practical already has been overcome. Now they're spending much time recording accurate brainprints with as few as three electrodes, which could make recording in the future as easy as wearing a pair of special glasses. They're also working with cheaper material and methods to see if they can bring the cost down.
1.What does the underlined word “brainchild” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.The brain function. B.The fingerprint record.
C.The biometric system. D.The online password.
2.Why were the images and symbols shown to the subjects?
A.To create their brainprints. B.To check the brain's reaction.
C.To match brainprints with pictures. D.To connect brain waves to electrodes.
3.What are the researchers doing with the program now?
A.Making it user-friendly. B.Improving its accuracy.
C.Recording more brainprints. D.Increasing the number of electrodes.
4.Which's the best the title of this passage?
A.Brain waves—the necessity of passwords B.Biometric systerm—the hope of cybersecurity
C.Brainprint—the future of passwords D.Fingerpint—the challenge of cybersecurity
I was 16 years old the day I skipped school for the first time. It was easily done: Both my parents left for work before my school bus arrived on weekdays, so when it showed up at my house on that cold winter morning, I simply did not get on. The perfect crime!
And what did I do with myself on that glorious stolen day, with no adult in charge and no limits on my activities? Did I get high? Hit the mall for a shoplifting extravaganza (狂欢)?
Nope. I built a warm fire in the wood stove, prepared a bowl of popcorn, grabbed a blanket, and read. I was thrilled and transported by a book—it was Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises—and I just needed to be alone with it for a little while. I ached to know what would happen to Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn. I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting in a classroom taking another biology exam when I could be traveling through Spain in the 1920s with a bunch of expatriates (异乡客).
I spent that day lost in words. Time fell away, as the room around me turned to mist, and my role—as a daughter, sister, teenager, and student—in the world no longer had any meaning. I had accidentally come across the key to perfect happiness: I had become completely absorbed by something I loved.
Looking back on it now, I can see that some subtle things were happening to my mind and to my life while I was in that state of absorption. Hemingway’s language was quietly braiding itself into my imagination. I was downloading information about how to create simple and elegant sentences, a good and solid plot. In other words, I was learning how to write. Without realizing it, I was hot on the trail of my own fate. Writing now absorbs me the way reading once did and happiness is their generous side effect.
1.Why did the author skip school on that day?
A.Because her parents left home early. B.Because it was a cold winter morning.
C.Because she was fascinated by a novel. D.Because she hated to take the biology exam.
2.What did the author think is the source of true joy?
A.Reading by the fire. B.Travelling in Spain.
C.Breaking the regulations. D.Being occupied by one’s passion.
3.Which can best replace the underlined phrase “braiding itself into” in the last paragraph?
A.Entering. B.Destroying.
C.Mending. D.Blocking.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.I was tired of my real-life roles.
B.I learnt how to write on the internet.
C.Hemingway skipped school when he was young.
D.Becoming a writer was my childhood dream.
THE SESSIONS
TRAVEL WRITING
Whether you're trying to impress an editor, get yourself noticed or start a career as a writer, our sessions will give you all the help and advice you need to make your words count.
We'll also be discussing the future of travel writing in this ever-changing digital world.
One-on-one sessions
Are you looking for tailored feedback on your work? If so, we have a limited number of one-on-one sessions with leading travel writers that will focus on your style, tone and narrative direction. Our partner, Olympus, will also be on hand to give you expert advice on getting the most use of their cameras. For more details on how to book, go online.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Don,t miss your chance to get tips straight from the top as our team of photographers and designers share their expertise. We'll cover everything from wildlife and landscapes to planning the perfect shoot and adapting to your environment when talking photos.
WHEN
6, October 10:00-18:00
WHERE
University of Westminster
Marylebone Road, London
NW15LS
TICKETS
£50 or two for £90
1.What should you do if you want to turn to Olympus for help?
A.Attend photography sessions. B.Book one-on-one service.
C.Land a job as a writer or an editor. D.Go to University of Westminster.
2.How much should you pay for two tickets?
A.£90. B.£110. C.£140. D.£180.
3.What's the purpose of the text?
A.To advertise a magazine. B.To provide part-time jobs.
C.To promote some classes. D.To exchange experience.
假设你是红星中学高三学生李华，你的英国朋友Jim在给你的邮件中提到他对中国历史很感兴趣，并请你介绍一位你喜欢的中国历史人物。请你给Jim回信，内容包括：
1．该人物是谁；
2．该人物的主要贡献；
3．该人物对你的影响。
注意：1 词数不少于 50；
2 开头已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Jim,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
根据短文内容，从短文后所给A、B、C、D、E五个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
If you're in a bad mood, you may feel as if you'll never get out of it. Fortunately, your thoughts have a lot of control over your mood. In fact, they have so much power over your mood that they can even affect the way you physically feel.1.
Change what you're doing. If you're unhappy because you feel bored, try doing something different. 2.For instance, if you've been in back-to-back meetings throughout your day with no free time, treat yourself to a funny movie at the end of your day. Changing what you’re doing can work wonders on your mood.
3.If you think your unhappy mood is stress related, get outside to reduce stress and lift your mood. Try going for a walk in the park or visit a garden. Being outside can greatly improve your mood.
Exercise. Go for a workout, play one of your favorite sports or activities, or just be more active in your daily routine. Studies have shown that exercising improves mood by signaling your body to release “feel-good” chemicals into your brain.4.
Do something that makes you smile. Studies have shown that smiling can improve your mood even if you're in a bad mood to begin with. Even if you don't feel like smiling, just reminding yourself of the act of smiling can cheer you up.
5.Or you can talk with a friend who you know always makes you laugh or smile.
A.Go outside.
B.Sometimes, just getting out of your current activity can change your mood.
C.Use these tips to change your thoughts and cheer up.
D.Even just five minutes of exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety.
E.Find activities that will cause you to smile such as watching a funny shower movie.
