Researchers in Australia have discovered an effective new method to capture the atmospheric carbon dioxide that is damaging our planet and transform it into something solid, making it much easier to store.
Carbon capture isn’t new, but previous methods call for the gas to be compressed (压缩) into liquid and then put into underground. Widespread usage of that technology has been locked by economic and environmental concerns due to possible leaks. Instead, in a study published in Nature Communications, the group details their sustainable and cost-effective plan for transforming CO2 into coal.
This new process involves a liquid metal catalyst ( 催化剂 ) that is efficient in conducting electricity. CO2 gas is dissolved (溶解) in a container with some liquid. Once electricity charge is introduced, the CO2 begins to turn into solid pieces of carbon, which can be collected and stored.
What makes this particularly unique is that the entire process can occur at room temperature. Previous experiments have only shown a gas to solid conversion at extremely high temperature, which made it impossible on a large scale. Now, the researchers are hoping that their work will be used to create even further when it comes to carbon storage.
In an interesting side benefit, the solid carbon also works as an electrode ( 电极 ), which opens up a world of possibilities. “A side benefit of the process is that the carbon can hold electrical charge, becoming a super battery, so it could potentially be used as a part in future vehicles,” explains Dr. Dorna Estrafilzadeh, a researcher. “The process also produces fuel as a by-product, which could also have industrial applications.”
1.Why have the previous methods been limited?
A.Because CO2 is difficult to be compressed into liquid.
B.Because CO2 is not easily collected.
C.Because much space underground has to be taken up to store CO2.
D.Because the liquid of CO2 might leak.
2.What is most special about the new method?
A.The process involves a liquid metal catalyst.
B.CO2 gas can produce electricity during the process.
C.The process happens at normal temperature.
D.CO2 is stored in the form of solid pieces.
3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.The method will make a difference in the future industry.
B.CO2 will replace the traditional fuel in the future.
C.The side benefits of the process have been applied widely.
D.The method will be used to make new vehicles.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Carbon dioxide damaging our planet
B.A new carbon capture technology
C.A new Australian discovery
D.How to store carbon dioxide
Art—no matter whether you choose to create it yourself or simply observe and enjoy it—is a relaxing and inspiring activity for many people. However, the particular benefits of artistic expression go much further.
Studies suggest that art therapy (疗法) can be very valuable in treating issues such as depression and anxiety disorder. It is a great way to express your emotions without words, process complex feelings and find relief.
You don’t necessarily have to see a therapist in order to experience some of the benefits of artistic expression. There are many simple activities you can try from the comfort of your home such as art journaling, drawing, making collections, sculpting with clay, etc. It doesn’t matter what media you choose. The only thing that matters is that you feel comfortable using it. Human beings are naturally creative, and all you need to do to complete an art therapy activity successfully is to be with yourself and your emotions. Once you free your creativity, your inner artist will quickly wake up.
However, working with a licensed therapist also has its advantage because a professional can tailor each activity to your own needs. If the activities are done in a group, they are excellent for building healthy connections with other people, which may be very helpful if you are fighting depression.
Experts agree that art therapy has many benefits, from promoting your self-respect, and providing you a safe outlet to relieve your emotions, to giving you a sense of control over your life and helping you to get to know and understand yourself better. During the process of art creation, you will be taking yourself on a journey of self-discovery that will help you get rid of emotional roadblocks, and learn how to communicate with yourself and others.
1.To complete an art therapy successfully, you have to ______.
A.be talented for art B.see a therapist
C.choose a special media D.accept yourself
2.What advantage do the activities done in a group have in art therapy?
A.The activities are tailored to one’s own needs. B.The activities are inspiring.
C.The activities are comforting. D.The activities promote communication.
3.The last paragraph is meant to ______.
A.explain the advantages of art therapy
B.give some advice about promoting your self-respect
C.provide an approach to relieve your emotions
D.summarize the process of art creation
4.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.How to develop drawing skills.
B.How to wake up art creativity.
C.Art therapy is a great way to treat mental health.
D.Art can be used to learn how to communicate with oneself.
We lived in a very quiet neighborhood. One evening I heard a loud crash in the street. Earlier that evening my wife had asked me to go to the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed that this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly practice her driving, so I sent her to the store in my truck. At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I enjoyed having it, but I said: “Guy, my heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won’t last forever. Never set your heart on anything that won’t last.” After hearing the loud noise, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted: “Dad! Dad, Holly crashed your truck.”
The accident had occurred in my own driveway. Holly had crashed my truck into our other vehicle, the family van (厢式货车). In her inexperience, she had confused the brakes (刹车) and the gas pedal (油门). Holly was unhurt physically but when we reached her, she was crying and saying: “Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this truck.” I held her in my arms as she cried.
Later that week a friend stopped by and asked what had happened to my truck. I told her the whole story. Her eyes moistened and she said: “That happened to me when I was a girl. I borrowed my dad’s car and ran into a tree that had fallen across the road. I ruined the car. When I got home, my Dad knocked me to the ground and began to kick me.”
Over 40 years later, she still felt the pain of the night. I remember how sad Holly was on the night she crashed our truck, and how I comforted her. One day, when Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times more than any piece of property.
1.What can we know about the crash?
A.The family van was parked in the way. B.Holly was badly hurt.
C.Holly’s truck ran into a fallen tree on the road. D.Holly mistook the gas pedal for the brakes.
2.Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “moistened” ?
A.Rolled. B.Became wet. C.Were closed. D.Shined.
3.What does the author intend to show us in this passage?
A.Everyone will make mistakes. B.Never let young children drive too early.
C.Love is more important than possessions. D.Girls are easily hurt.
4.Which is the best title of the passage?
A.What Really Matters B.How to Educate Children
C.How to be a father D.A terrible accident
Because travel is as much about the journey as the destination, the right accessories((配件) make a difference to the jet-setters on your gift list.
Smart carry-on suitcase
There's nothing worse than landing in a foreign city and realizing you have no way to call Uber because your phone died while you were delayed before takeoff and unable to find a plug. If your suitcase is the Millennial Power Bank Spinner from Traveler's Choice, problems like this will be a thing of the past If you remember to charge it up along with your phone the night before your flight, you'll always have a charge in reserve.
Purchase: via NORDSTOMRACK.COM $189.97
Noise-canceling headphones
Few things are more needed by travelers than a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones. The Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700 has 11 levels of noise canceling power so you can control your environment as needed, and four microphones that pick up and separate your voice so you can still take calls, even in a noisy airport. Plus, it offers one-touch access to Google Assistant or Alexa, and 20 hours of battery life, which should get you most anywhere in the world on a single charge.
Purchase: via AMAZON.COM $399
Multi-purpose jacket
Sure, jackets are a great way to add a layer of warmth——but that's just about any conventional jacket with two front pockets. If the traveler on your list is a techie, he or she will be thrilled with the Baubax bomber jacket 2.0. which has 25 features to ensure everything stays organized and readily available. It comes with built-in neck pillow, travel footrest, eye mask, travel blanket, battery-charger pocket, bottle opener... and 12 pockets to place your tablet, phone, sunglasses and passport. Yes, 12...
Purchase: via BAUBAX.COM S238
Motion-sickness relief
There's a new choice for the traveler who suffers motion sickness. Reliefband 1.5, a drug-free wristband that uses patented, clinically proven, FDA-cleared technology to treat motion sickness. The wristband works by stimulating the nerve at the underside of the wrist with gentle pulses. It works for travel by plane, train, boat, or car, as well as for virtual reality gaming, amusement park rides, and even morning sickness.
Purchase: via AIMAZON.COM $94.99
1.What can a "Smart carry-on suitcase " do?
A.Guarantee a safe landing. B.Keep the cell phone alive.
C.Help avoid any trouble in flight. D.Ease the passengers' burden.
2.What's the additional function of "Noise-canceling headphones"?
A.It's of high quality. B.It's noise-proof.
C.It keeps a phone call clear. D.It can access Google Assistant.
3.Compared with ordinary jackets, the advantage of "Multi-purpose jacket" lies in .
A.its ability to keep warm B.its up-to-date design
C.its capacity to store stuff D.its affordable price
4.What can we learn about "Motion-sickness relief?
A.It's a smart wearable device.
B.It's a newly-invented pill.
C.It can cure any sickness.
D.It is effective only for passengers.
5.Which of the following is the cheapest one to purchase?
A.Smart carry-on suitcase. B.Noise-canceling headphones.
C.Multi-purpose jacket. D.Motion-sickness relief.
假如你是李华, 你的英国朋友杰克 (Jack)来信向你咨询如何才能学好中文。请你根据下列要点写封回信。
要点如下：
(1)参加中文学习班；
(2)看中文书刊、电视；
(3)学唱中文歌曲；
(4)交中国朋友。
注意事项：
(1)词数100左右；
(2)可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。
Dear Peter,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Best wishes!
Yours,
Li Hua.
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：
1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
One day in her way to school, Fang Fang found a wallet near the bus station. She open it and found a lot money and a calling card. So she knew the owner name, address or telephone number. She thought the owner must be worrying. She went to a public telephone and called the owner. Then she waited at the bus station. The owner came by a taxi very soon and Fang Fang gave the wallet to her. The owner was very thankful that she took out a 100-yuan notes to reward Fang Fang. But Fang Fang polite refused it and went on to school.
