In 1972, UNESCO started a programme to protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Since then, more than 800 cultural sites that are thought to be of special importance to human history and culture have been added to the World Cultural Heritage Site List. 1..
The Taj Mahal, which was built between 1631 and 1648, is a masterpiece of architecture.
It took more than 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to complete the project, and the stones came from as far away as China.
2.. In the early 17th century, India was ruled by an emperor named Shah Jahan. The emperor loved his wife, Mumtaz, so much that he built the Taj Mahal in her memory. Shah Jahan was later buried next to Mumtaz, and the couple now rest together forever.
If the Taj Mahal is a celebration of the heart, then the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are a monument to the mind and spirit. 3..
What makes the Qing and Ming Tombs so unique among amazing global buildings?
4.. Built by several emperors, the Imperial Tombs represent Chinese architectural styles and historical values that have been handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.
5.. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites programme attempts to protect and preserve the best of human history. Masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal and the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties remind us of what we can achieve at our finest, and inspire us to live up to our great past in the future.
A.Building the Taj Mahal was a labour of love.
B.There are many beautiful legends concerning it.
C.Two of the best-known examples are listed below.
D.The Imperial Tombs have been well-preserved ever since.
E.It’s the fact that they bring together architecture and philosophy.
F.Human life lasts only a short time but art and culture last forever.
G.Visitors can feel both the weight of history and a wonderful sense of peace.
14 days. That’s the time Chinese scientists took to identify the full genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus (新冠病毒) since its outbreak. It was shared with the WHO immediately, and has now become an important foundation for global researchers in the fight against the COVID-19. But first, let us turn the clock back 17 years, when it took months to identify the SARS virus. From months to 14 days, what changed? It turns out AI played an important part.
The scientists first obtained bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (支气管扩张灌洗液) samples from patients, isolated (分离) the DNA and RNA, then sequenced the genetic material by comparing them. AI’s advantage is its ability to recognize patterns among a flood of data.
Let me put it in a simple way. Sequencing the coronavirus genome (基因组) is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack (干草堆)---looking for genotypes (基因型) with specific characteristics from a huge gene pool. That’s where search algorithm (算法), a branch of modern AI, comes in. Think of it as an efficient search engine, which can find the needle in the haystack. This search algorithm can shorten months-long genetic sequencing to weeks or even just a few days. Combined with macro-genomic sequencing and a virus library, this AI technology can also be used in tracking virus mutation (突变).
AI doesn’t just support scientists. It can also help patients by improving the efficiency of diagnosis (诊断). China launched a Genomics Service, which can run multiple virus gene comparisons and produce a detailed report within 60 seconds. This algorithm has been put into use in China and shared to the world for free.
1.AI’s advantage is that it can ________.
A.slow down the spread of coronavirus B.separate DNA from RNA
C.identify specific genotypes rapidly D.obtain samples from patients quickly
2.The search algorithm helps shorten the time of genetic sequencing by __________.
A.finding a needle in a haystack B.serving as a search engine
C.combining with a virus library D.tracing virus mutation
3.What do we know about the Genomics Service in the last paragraph?
A.It has been widely used in the world. B.It is mainly based on blood test.
C.It is for fast diagnosis of COVID-19. D.It is used to track COVID-19 patients.
4.What’s the best title of the passage?
A.14 Days---China Made it! B.AI Assists in COVID-19 Fight
C.Search Algorithm, Best Choice D.China’s Genomics Service
As a child, I never imagined that one day a man would walk on the moon. Yet this year we marked the 50th anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 mission. As those historic pictures were beamed (传递) back to Earth, millions of us sat transfixed (使…呆住) to our television screens, as we watched Neil Armstrong taking a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind---and, indeed, for womankind. It’s a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.
This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day. On 6th June 1944, some 156,000 British, Canadian and American forces landed in northern France. It was the largest ever seabourne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather. I well remember the look of concern on my father’s face. He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no one.
For the 75th anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation (和解), those who had formally been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations (纪念) either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them. Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight. It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps.
Since the end of the Second World War, many charities, groups and organisations have worked to promote peace and unity around the world, bringing together those who have been on opposing sides. By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy (民主) once won for us at so great a cost.
The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference. And, as we all look forward to the start of a new decade, it’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.
And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
1.Who does the “I” in the passage probably refer to?
A.Neil Armstrong. B.Winston Churchill.
C.Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ. D.Donald Trump.
2.What does the underlined word “bumpy” mean in the fifth paragraph?
A.Smooth. B.Rough. C.Flat. D.Straight.
3.The passage might be a speech on _______.
A.Christmas Day B.New Year’s Eve
C.the anniversary of D-Day landing D.Victory in Europe Day
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A.To honour the achievements of moon-landing.
B.To remember the victory of D-Day landing.
C.To promote reconciliation across the Channel.
D.To urge efforts for a world of peace and unity.
He ran between two defenders, past a third, and a couple of seconds later his team had two more points. At the end of his final game, on April 11, he had scored 30 points.
This was the end of a career for Dwyane Wade, nicknamed “Flash”. It was the 37-year-old’s last game for the Miami Heat and his last appearance on an NBA basketball court. Over his storied career, Wade played in 1,054 regular-season games and 177 post-season games, scored more than 23,000 points, appeared in three NBA championships and earned one Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Coming from Chicago, Wade’s attitude and style of play moved many people, including former US President Barack Obama. “Whenever you got knocked down, you always showed us how to get back up,” Obama said in a tribute video. “You showed some Chicago spirit... and you did us proud.”
Wade broke down the door to the NBA in 2003 with his outstanding ball-handling skills and jumping ability. He had a strong principle, taking practice as seriously as he took games. He trained in the gym by himself during the off-season and exercised hard to stay in shape.
Wade has also spoken out on social issues. In 2012, 17-year-old Heat fan Trayvon Martin, an African-American, was shot in a racist attack on his way home from watching the NBA All-Star Game. Wade, together with LeBron James, led the Miami Heat squad, pulling up their hoodies (连帽衫) in support of justice for Martin, who had his hoodie up when he was killed. Wade hoped this action would bring attention to racist violence.
In 2003, he founded the Wade’s World Foundation, which provides support to various education, health, and family service programs. “Obviously, I’m one person. I can’t change the world, but I can help affect change in communities,” Wade told ESPN. “That’s what I want to continue to do.”
This is not the end of Wade’s story. He wants to continue fighting for economic and social equality in the US.
1.How many games did Wade play in his professional career?
A.1,054. B.177. C.23,000. D.1,231.
2.Wade was thought highly of by Obama because of _____________.
A.his strong willpower B.his flexible playing style
C.his extraordinary skills D.his honourable ambition
3.Why did Wade and his teammates pull up their hoodies?
A.To follow Martin’s heroic behaviour. B.To speak out for Martin.
C.To try on the latest fashion. D.To show racial equality.
4.This passage is mainly about Wade’s _________.
A.outstanding professional career B.legendary life experiences
C.achievements in social equality D.influence in sports and society
The Four Famous Embroideries (刺绣) of China refer to the Xiang embroidery in Hunan Province, Shu embroidery in Sichuan Province, Yue embroidery in Guangdong Province and Su embroidery in Jiangsu Province.
Xiang embroidery
The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No. 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. —A.D. 220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which shows that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty. In its later development, it absorbs the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as well as products for daily use.
Shu embroidery
Shu embroidery has formed its own unique characteristics: smooth, bright, neat, etc. The works choose flowers, animals, mountains, rivers and human figures as their themes. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery involves a combination of fine art and practical uses, such as the facings of quilts, pillowcases, coats and screen covers.
Yue embroidery
Influenced by national folk art, Yue embroidered pictures are mainly of dragons and phoenixes (凤凰), and flowers and birds, with neat designs and strong, contrasting colors.
Gold-and-silk thread embroidery is widely used, even for crafts of daily use.
Su embroidery
The weaving techniques of Su embroidery are characterized by the flat surface, dense lines, even pictures and harmonious colors. Su embroidery products fall into 3 major categories: costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use. Double-sided embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery.
1.The unearthed embroidery at Mawangdui shows Xiang embroidery’s _______.
A.time-honoured history B.excellent designs
C.artistic value D.advanced techniques
2.If you receive a double-sided embroidery as a gift, it must be ________.
A.Xiang embroidery B.Shu embroidery
C.Yue embroidery D.Su embroidery
3.What do we know about the four famous embroideries?
A.All are rooted in folk art. B.All are valuable artworks.
C.All share the same themes. D.All have practical use.
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。 续写的词数应为150左右。
It was a bright summer’s day. The weather was pleasant, but the wind from the Sahara desert made it extremely hot and wet. A ship stopped off the coast of Africa. The seagulls were circling overhead and crying loudly. In the distance, several dolphins were jumping out of the water at times to create a big white wave.
Just before sunset, the captain came on deck and called out, “Time for a swim.”
Immediately sailors jumped into the water, lowered a canvas mat (帆布垫子) and made it into a swimming pool. They had been waiting for this moment the whole day.
There were two young boys on the ship. They both jumped in, but swam out into the open sea since it was too crowded inside the “pool”. They played and chased (追逐) each other in the open sea. Their fathers cheered them on, often urging one of the boys to prove his bravery over the other.
Suddenly, something gray from a distance was coming closer and closer. Somebody from the deck called out, “Shark! Shark!” The fin was moving faster. Confusion and panic arose, and everyone climbed to safety. Everyone, except the two boys. They had not heard the shouts.
The shark was moving towards the boys.
The captain shouted, “Come back my boys! There is a shark out there!” One of the boys was his son. For the first time in his life, he didn’t know what to do. He could not think clearly. The captain’s face became as white as a sheet. He could feel his legs were shaking so badly that he nearly fell to the ground.
The people on the deck screamed wildly. But the boys could not hear them. They continued to play and to swim, unaware of the danger approaching them fast. Some sailors lowered a boat, jumped into it and attempted to row towards the boys.
Para 1: Just then, one of the boys looked back and saw the large animal he knew too well.
Para 2: Their screams brought the captain back to his senses.
