A huge 3D printer is now building new homes in the countryside in Southern Mexico. It is the world’s first 3D-printed village. Could this be part of the global housing solution?
The 500-square-foot houses are finished with roofs, windows and the inside parts. A nonprofit organization called New Story leading the project believes that the new construction could be part of the solution for affordable housing in some of the places in the world. The organization hopes to build 50 new houses by the end of 2020, replacing the ones that residents built themselves out of wood, metal and whatever materials they could afford.
The families live in a seismic zone that usually suffer from flooding. Building something that will stand up to an earthquake and keep them dry during heavy rains is a key consideration when it comes to the design.
New Story has been helping families in need of shelter. It has built more than 2,700 homes in South America and Mexico since it was founded in 2014. This is the first home-building project that it’s done with 3D printing.
Each house takes 24 hours, which is about two times faster than it takes to build a home with regular construction. The house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. And the houses can resist powerful earthquakes.
The technology is there and the application to building homes for those in need brings a lot of hope for the future. Experts say 3D printing is not science fiction. We have moved beyond science fiction into reality.3D printers build homes faster, better and less expensively. In the future, this will be humanity’s perfect housing solution that matches our highest values and ideals.
1.What do we know about New Story?
A.It must be a famous company. B.It values 3D printing technology.
C.It earns a lot by building houses. D.It takes the lead in 3D printing technology.
2.What's the focus for people living in the earthquake zone to build houses?
A.Predicting floods. B.Resisting earthquakes.
C.Saving building costs. D.Using expensive materials.
3.What does the author think of 3D printing?
A.It is hard to apply. B.It is science fiction.
C.It has a bright future. D.It has perfectly solved housing problems.
4.What’s the best title for the text?
A.A Huge 3D Printer B.New Story, a Great Nonprofit
C.The World’s First 3D-printed Village D.3D-printed Houses, Popular Worldwide
Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published on Monday.
While the decline(下降) over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives,and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion(比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively(分别地) today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2-8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each passage has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per passage.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to suggest parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home,more books purchased for them, parents who read more often,and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading lists and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1.What’s the proportion of 17-year-olds who rarely read for fun today?
A.8%. B.9%. C.22%. D.27%.
2.Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
A.Buying e-books costs too much. B.Children are addicted to e-books.
C.It is a waste of time to read e-books. D.It may be harmful to children’s health.
3.The key role in helping children to read lies in_____________.
A.Parents B.teachers C.interests D.environment
4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?
A.Health. B.Education. C.Science. D.Entertainment.
Shortly after graduating in 2012, Dutch fashion designer Bas Timmer heard some upsetting news. While he had been busy drawing designs for his new brand, a friend’s father, who was homeless, had died of hypothermia（体温过低）just meters away from his studio. The young man set aside his personal ambitions and instead used his design skills to create Sheltersuit—a jacket that doubles as a sleeping bag to protect the world's homeless against extreme weather.
To transform the coat into a sleeping bag, the wearer simply zips（用拉链拉上）on a second piece to the bottom. The suit’s large hood（兜帽）helps protect against bright street lights at night, while a built-in scarf adds warmth and protection. When not in use,the “portable shelter” can be tucked away in the accompanying backpack.
The designer had originally intended to create a limited number of Sheltersuits and then go back to develop his clothing brand. “I thought, OK, I'm going to make 100,” he says. However, demand for the product, which was an instant hit, has never stopped. Over the past four years, Timmer and his team have distributed 6,000 Sheltersuits to the homeless in Europe.
To help pay for the production cost, Timmer set up the Sheltersuit Foundation, which accepts donations from both groups and individuals. Since March 2019, the team has also been using its factory to create clothing, bag and other things for paying customers.
Though Timmer’s efforts are deserving to be praised，the special clothing is not the solution(解 决）to this serious social issue，which is largely the result of income loss and the rising house prices in US cities like San Francisco and New York. Hopefully, governments, groups and individuals will come together to find a way to help the people that are down on their luck.
1.What did Timmer do after knowing a friend’s father’s death?
A.He took aim at the poor.
B.He went to comfort his friend.
C.He closed his studio at once to design a new brand.
D.He created a kind of jacket against coldness for the homeless.
2.Which of the following can replace the underlined phrase “tucked away” in paragraph 2?
A.Raised. B.Removed.
C.Put away. D.Given back.
3.What made Timmer keep producing Sheltersuits?
A.Great demand. B.Huge profits.
C.Unique styles. D.Personal ambition.
4.Why did Timmer found the Sheltersuit Foundation?
A.He found it hard to make money.
B.He hoped to raise money for production.
C.He was unwilling to make clothes with his own money.
D.He expected more people to participate in the creation.
The following are a few places recommended(推荐) by tourists.
Pololu Valley
Lying along the North Kohala Coast,it is home to the island's most beautiful sandy beaches with pleasant weather. Head east on the Akoni Pule Highway and drive to the end of the road before parking at the Pololu Valley Overlook where the trail(小径) begins. The hike(步行) is short at 2.5miles round-trip, but it has a couple of very steep sections that will get your heart beating fast.
Papakolea Beach
The hike to Papakolea Beach will take you 2.5 miles each way to one of the world’s only green sand beaches. Drive along South Point Road and look for “Green Sand Beach” signs, then follow the road on foot to the beach below. The hike will take at least one hour each way with no shade, so don't forget your water, hiking footwear and sunscreen!
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
Take the self-guided hike through the gardens for a mile or two, passing by more than 2,000 different species of native Hawaiian plants, flowers and trees. The gardens are only open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with admission ending at 4:00 pm. Also, entry costs $20 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 16, and free for children under six.
Mauna Loa Lookout
The Mauna Loa Trail begins an 18-mile uphill to the top of the volcano—but don’t worry, you'll only need to hike a couple of miles to get there. This is the largest volcano on earth and the weather here is changing rapidly. Snow or driving rain are possible at any time of year. High altitude storms can occur without warning. You’d better pay attention to the local weather forecast or weather information on the website before hiking.
1.What do the first two places have in common?
A.The beaches are attractive. B.The weather is unique.
C.The hike is dangerous. D.They’re fit for cycling.
2.Who are interested in Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens?
A.Animal lovers. B.Bird hunters. C.Plant lovers. D.Journalists.
3.What are you advised to do to visit Mauna Loa Lookout?
A.Cover 18 miles to the volcano. B.Hike with experienced visitors.
C.Try to avoid visiting the volcano. D.Get the weather information in advance.
请阅读下面短文，并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。
假定你是李华,计划暑假期间去英国学习英语,为期六周。下面的广告引起了你的注意,请给该校写封信,询问有关情况(箭头所指内容)。
注意:1.词数150左右。
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
3.参考词汇:住宿—accommodation
Dear Sir/Madam,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours faithfully,
Li Hua
阅读下面短文，根据所读内容在表格中的空白处填入恰当的单词。
注意：每个空格只填一个单词。
Many people believe that classical music is not relevant music is not relevant to young people today . However, this issue (问题) frequently causes heated debate.
Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people .For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert , the majority is over the age of fifty.
Others say it is more popular than we first imagine . Many young people listen to classical music without realising .It is often used in films and advertisements. For example.a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup . Not many people could have given its name , but millions enjoyed it .
Also,some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱)music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.
However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practise for hours. Nowadays, you don't need to get aching arms from practising. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.
A final point to in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras(管弦乐队).This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.
So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments , but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realise!
Title | Classical Music | |
Introduction | The issue of whether classical music is1.to young people causes heated debate. | |
Opinions | Evidence | |
★ Classical music is associated only with old peonl. | ☆2.of the audience at a classical concert are over fifty. | |
★ Many young people don’t3. | ☆ Classical music is often found in films and advertisements. | |
★ Classical ideas provide a4. | ☆ Young people now5.rap in popular music. | |
★6.has put classical music at a disadvantage. | ☆ A young man can write and make music on a computer7.in his bedroom. | |
★ “Classical music”can refer to various8.of music. | ☆ Classical music9.from jazz to pieces for large orchestras. | |
Conclusion | Classical music may still be10.by young people today. | |
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