-
In a surprising discovery about where higher life can survive, scientists have found a shrimp —— like creature and a jellyfish swimming beneath an Antarctic ice sheet.
About 180 meters below the ice where no light can get through, scientists had thought nothing much more than a few microbes (微生物) could exist.
That’s why a NASA team was surprised when they lowered a video camera to get the first long look at the underbelly of an ice sheet in Antarctica. A curious shrimp – like creature came swimming by and then parked itself on the camera’s cable. Scientists also pulled up a tentacle (触须) they believe came from a jellyfish.
“We were operating on the presumption that nothing’s there.” Said NASA ice scientist Robert Bindschadler. “It was a shrimp you’d enjoy having on your plate.”
“We were just gaga (狂热的) over it,” he said of the 7.5cm long, orange creature starring in their two – minute video. Technically, it’s not a shrimp. It’s a Lyssianasid amphipod, which is distantly related to the shrimp.
The video is likely to inspire experts to rethink what they know about life in harsh environments. And it has scientists thinking that if shrimp – like creatures can live below 180 meters of Antarctic ice in freezing dark water, what about other cold places? What about Europa, a frozen moon of Jupiter?
Cynan Ellis – Evans, a scientist of the British Antarctic Survey called the finding fascinating. He said it was possible the creatures swam in from far away and don’t live there permanently.
But Kim, who is a co-author of the study, doubts it. “The site in West Antarctica is at least 19 km from open seas. Bindschadler drilled a 20 cm – wide hole and was looking at a tiny amount of water. That means it’s unlikely that two creatures swam from great distances and were captured randomly in that small of an area,” she said.
Yet scientist were puzzled at what the food source would be for these creatures. While some microbes can make their own food out of chemicals in the ocean, complex life like the shrimp can’t, Kim said.
“So how do they survive? That’s the key question.” Kim Sai.
“It’s pretty amazing when you find a huge puzzle like that on a planet where we thought we know everything.” Kim said.
1.What does the underlined word “harsh” probably mean?
A. cold B. loud C. cruel D. ugly
2.According to Kim, the shrimp – like creature ________.
A. swam great distances to Antarctic B. has always lived in the region
C. gradually evolved from shrimps D. has nothing in common with shrimps
3.The finding is significant in that ________.
A. it marks NASA’S first Antarctic biological study
B. it proves there is marine life in the Antarctic
C. it could inspire further study of life in harsh environments
D. it shows that Lyssianasid amphipod is closely related to shrimps
4.Which of the following statements about the discovery is FALSE?
A. Complex life usually lives on other forms of life.
B. Scientists saw two creatures in the two – minute video.
C. It is possible for creatures to live 180 meters below the ice though there is no light.
D. Scientists captured the shrimp – like creature in a camera by drilling a hole through the ice.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
Beijing — Premier Wen Jiabao has urged the leadership of all countries to deepen their political will in dealing with climate change woes (灾难) as uncertainties mount (增长) in the months before the United Nation’s conference in Cancun, Mexico, at the end of this year.
Wen made the remarks on Friday when he met with nearly 20 politicians, climate change and environmental ministers worldwide, who are in Beijing this weekend to attend an international forum on green economy and climate change.
Based on the achievements made at the Copenhagen Summit last December, Wen urged the rich countries to further make clear their compulsory carbon reduction targets. “At the same time, we developing countries should make clear our voluntary goal of slowing down climate change,” Wen said.
Wen also urged the developed countries to transfer（转让）climate change friendly technologies to the developing countries, especially the poorest countries and island nations.
During the meeting, Wen said China will redouble its efforts in reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency during the coming years after it finishes its 2006-2010 goal of cutting energy consumption per unit of economic output by 20 percent.
While praising China for its green efforts, former Australian Prime Minister Robert J. Lee Hawke asked China to share its experiences and lessons on energy savings and pollution reduction to the rest of the world to deal with global environmental woes and climate change.
Wen responded: “China, together with the rest of the world, is willing to make its due contribution in coping with global warming and climate change.”
At a banquet for the foreign guests on Friday night, former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan said “Increasing uncertainties are ahead for the climate change negotiations. The world needs more dialogue and cooperation”.
“Climate change woes are our shared challenges but the root lies in the historical emissions by the developed countries,” said Zeng, as president of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, which organized the weekend climate change summit.
Zeng expected the forum to work as a platform for different countries to communicate their positions freely before the Bonn climate change negotiation in June and the Cancun conference at the end of this year.
1.Which title suits this passage best?
A. We must work on climate change.
B. We should share our ‘green’ technology.
C. We need to clarify our action targets.
D. We ought to cooperate to control the climate.
2.The underlined part in the last paragraph but one implies ________.
A. Air pollution just existed in the developed countries in the past.
B. In the past, the developed countries slowed down the development of the world.
C. Climate change woes were originally caused by the developed countries.
D. The rich countries should be more responsible since they polluted most.
3.It can be inferred from the passage that _________.
A. The Chinese government intends to be regarded as a developed country.
B. The whole world has got the same opinion about the measures to take.
C. The developed countries have not found any effective ways to cut their emissions.
D. There is still a long way to go before an agreement can be reached.
4.Why did Wen Jiabao urge the developed countries to clarify their carbon reduction targets?
A. Because the developed countries are not willing to deal with global environmental woes.
B. Because the developing countries have not set any goal of slowing down climate change.
C. Because there are mounting uncertainties ahead for the climate change negotiations.
D. Because agreements were already made at the Copenhagen Summit last December.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
It is love that makes the world go round. And it is also love that has such power to overcome all difficulties. So we say: “Love will find a way.” As smile is a facial expression showing pleasure, affection, and friendliness, it is the commonest way to show our good will perfectly without saying anything. A Chinese saying runs: “never hit a person who is smiling at you.” It is a time-proven fact that the smile is a language all its own— a universal language—understood by the people of every nation in the world. We may not speak the same tongue as our foreign neighbors, but we smile in the same tongue. We need no interpreter for thus expressing love, happiness, or good will.
One day while shopping in a small town in southern California, it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality contradicted mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing, and marched angrily out of the store. My anger toward that grew with each step. Outside, standing at the corner, was a dark-complexion young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine, and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling smile covered his face. I gave in immediately. The magnetic power of that shining smile drove away all bitterness within me, and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” I remarked, in passing. The, suddenly something inside me sent me turning back. “I really owe you a debt of gratitude,” I said softly. His smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer. A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby. The woman stepped forward and eyed me inquiringly. “Carlos, he no speak English,” she volunteered. “You want I should tell him something?” In that moment I felt transformed. Carlos’ smile had made a big person of me. My friendliness and good will to ward all mankind stood ten feet tall. “Yes,” my reply was enthusiastic and sincere, “tell him I said ‘Thank you!’” “Thank you?” The woman seemed slightly puzzled. I gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave. “Just tell him that,” I insisted. “He’ll understand. I am sure!” Oh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning.
From that day on, I became smile – conscious, and I practice the diligently, anywhere and everywhere, with everybody. When I got excited in traffic, taking the right – of – way (公路用地) from the other car with my stupid mistake, I’d smile and shrug my shoulders apologetically. This action on my part would always draw a good – natured smile in return. If the other fellow was at fault – and if I could remember my resolution in time! – he’d get a broad smile of understanding. This took a bit of doing at first. I’ll admit it wasn’t always easy, but it was fun. The results were sometimes amazing. Many times, a broad, friendly smile would completely turn aside ill – feeling and tension. I’m wondering now how many tragic add dents could be avoided on our overcrowded highways, if every driver remembered to smile!
1.The author got angry while shopping one day because ________.
A. of the clerk’s unfriendliness and lack of concern
B. of her misfortune
C. she failed to purchase what she intended
D. a dark – complexion young man laughed at her
2.From the conversation between the author and the Mexican woman, we can infer that the woman ________.
A. was well – educated but unwilling to help others
B. was able to speak English
C. knew some English and was ready to help others
D. was familiar with the young man
3.In the author’s opinion, if all people remembered to smile when driving, ________.
A. many traffic accidents could be avoided
B. they would receive a good natural smile in return
C. they could get a broad smile of understanding
D. they wouldn’t feel any tension
4.The best title for this passage could be ________.
A. The Art of Smiling B. The Universal Language
C. The Power of Love D. The Magic Power of Friendship
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
The Hong Kong Arts Festival is made possible with the funding support of:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Organizers reserve the right to substitute artists and change programme details should unavoidable circumstances render it necessary
BUY NOW at ticket office
Online Bookings: WWW. urbtix.hk
Credit Card Telephone Bookings: 2111 5999
WWW.hk.artsfestival.org
1.How many days will the two jazz masters perform in Hong Kong?
A. 2 days. B. 3 days. C. 4 days. D. 5 days.
2.You can get a ticket except that ______.
A. you go and buy one at the ticket office B. you book online
C. you call and pay with your credit card D. you wait to get one for free
3.Why will the two jazz masters perform in Hong Kong?
A. Because they meet in there after not seeing each other for 40 years.
B. It’s for Hong Kong Arts Festival.
C. Because they can’t live without music.
D. It just happens that they two are performing there.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
