Course No. 1406 12 Lectures (30 Minutes/Lecture)
In The Secrets of Mental Math, award-winning Professor Arthur T. Benjamin teaches you the basic knowledge of mental mathematics. This powerful ability to perform mental calculations will give you an edge in business, at school, at work, or anywhere else that you meet with math.
Course No. 7175 12 Lectures (30 Minutes/Lecture)
In Museum Masterpieces: The Louvre, expert art critic and historian Professor Richard Brertell takes you on an unforgettable journey through one of the world's greatest museums. This 12-lecture series explores some of the most beautiful and renowned, examples from the museum's remarkable collection of masterworks.
Course No. 158 12 Lectures (30 Minutes/Lecture)
In My Favorite Universe, world-famous physicist and director of the Hayden Pknetarium Neil dcGrassc Tyson takes you on a spirited and intellectually interesting journey through the universe and all its history, from before the big bang to the most likely ways in which the entire universe might end.
Course No. 6299 12 Lectures (30 Minutes/Lecture)
In The History of the Bible: The Making of the New Testament Canon, New York Times best-selling author and professor Bart D. Ehrman reveals the secret history behind the making of the New Testament, including how and when each book was written and why it was chosen to be included.
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1.Who can tell you something about the space?
A.Bart D. Ehrman. B.Neil dcGrassc Tyson.
C.Arthur T. Benjamin. D.Richard Brertell.
2.How much is Course No.158 on DVD delivered to your house?
A.$6.95. B.$9.95.
C.$11.95 . D.$14.95.
3.What is the passage mainly about?
A.College courses studied in home.
B.College courses learned on line.
C.Some world-famous lectures.
D.Four interesting books in discount.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
On November 7, Lewis Pugh completed a one-kilometer swim in the freezing waters of King Edward Cove, off South Georgia in Antarctica. He was wearing only his swimming glasses, cap and speedos!
Pugh is an advocate for our oceans and seas, working to protect these ecosystem with their large diversity of marine life. When asked why he doesn’t wear a wetsuit, Lewis says, “I ask world leaders to do everything they can to protect our oceans. Sometimes the steps they need to take are difficult and unpopular. If I’m asking them to be courageous, I must also be. Swimming in a wetsuit would not send the right message.”
It took Pugh about 19 minutes to complete the one-kilometer swim in Antarctica where the water averaged about 1.6 degrees Celsius . He says that his body can only tolerate about 20 minutes in the freezing waters before it starts shutting down. As he swims, his body temperature steadily drops, which in turn causes his muscle control to drop, slowing him down. When he is done with his swim, his support team rushes him to a hot shower and it takes almost an hour for his body temperature to return to normal.
Doctors and Pugh caution that one must receive months of training to swim in such cold waters. Even expert swimmers who are unused to freezing water can drown within minutes because of the physical shock experienced by the body. Pugh says he trained for six months before this swim.
This is not the first time that Lewis has swum in dangerous conditions. In 2007, he swam one kilometer in the North Pole to draw attention to the melting Arctic ice due to climate change. In 2015, he swam in the Bay of Whales in Antarctica’s Ross Sea as part of his successful campaign to help set up a marine reserve there.
1.Why did Lewis Pugh swim without a wetsuit?
A.To swim faster. B.To show his bravery.
C.To build up his body. D.To win public attention.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A.His body. B.The water.
C.His body temperature. D.The water temperature.
3.What’s Pugh’s advice about swimming in freezing waters?
A.One must be fully prepared.
B.One should be expert at swimming.
C.One should be ready to take on challenges.
D.One must be used to long-distance swimming.
4.What may be the best title for the text?
A.Lewis Pugh: swimming for a cause
B.How to survive a swim in cold waters
C.How to prepare for extreme swimming
D.Lewis Pugh: achieving the impossible
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
You may have been told before not to be afraid of anything. Fear is often associated with weakness. Fear is something to be avoided.
But that's not true, according to Time For Kids magazine. Fear can be good for us.
Fear tells us about danger. Without fear, we wouldn't know to run away from a tiger or step back from a cliff.
In a study published in the Justice Quarterly journal in August, researchers from Michigan State University said that a healthy fear of crime keeps teenagers away from potentially dangerous people, places and activities.
Fear makes us jump, scream and sweat. But interestingly, sometimes we make ourselves feel fear on purpose. Think about scary books and movies, and also the long lines for a scary roller coaster ride.
Margee Kerr, a US sociologist, explained why to Time For Kids.
Fear fills our brain with healthy chemical substances, especially endorphins and dopamine, and these things create feelings of happiness and excite us, according to Kerr.
In addition, when you're scared, your body produces a chemical which helps people bond with each other.
"Watch people walking out of a haunted house, and you'll see lots of smiles and high fives," Kerr told Time For Kids. That also explains why schools and companies organize challenging trips and physical activities to build up team spirit.
People experience and deal with fear in different ways. If you happen to be a “coward” who gets scared easily, don't worry. There is some evidence that being scared can help a person manage stressful situations. Kerr said that things like giving a presentation in front of your class or performing in a school play help build a sort of endurance to fear that makes us more confident.
“You become more comfortable with the physical experience of fear, and so you are better able to work through it during tense situations,” said Kerr.
So learn to love your fear. It only grows when we forget how helpful our fear is trying to be.
1.What is the article mainly about?
A.The benefits fear brings us. B.Different ways to deal with fear.
C.People's misunderstandings about fear. D.A new study about fear.
2.Why is a scary roller coaster ride helpful to people according to the article?
A.It improves people's ability to survive in the world.
B.It makes people less cowardly and more confident in life.
C.It teaches people how to keep away from things that could be dangerous.
D.It causes the brain to produce chemicals that make people happy and excited.
3.The underlined phrase “bond with” in Paragraph 8 is closest in meaning to _________.
A.pay attention to B.fight against
C.get closer to D.be more careful with
4.What is the right attitude toward fear according to the article?
A.Learn to enjoy healthy fear.
B.Experience it as often as possible.
C.Consider it as a sign of weakness.
D.Avoid being involved in scary situations.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Western conservation groups are seeking stricter laws to deal with trade in endangered wildlife, but Dr. Paul Jepson warns that this isn’t the best solution. He specially mentions the case of the Bali starling (八哥). Bringing in tougher laws created unexpected outcomes, which contributed to the bird’s extinction in the wild in 2006.
He said that the traditional law enforcement (执行) approach that prohibited ownership of the Bali starling in the 1980s and 1990s increased rather than reduced the demand for wild-caught Bali starlings. The bird has become a popular gift among the rich of Indonesia, who can gain more status by owning one.
Instead, a case-by-case analysis might be needed. Last year, he said, a bird association set up a network of breeders (饲养者) among the owners of Bali starling on the island of Java. By introducing a “crowd-breeding” model, it transformed the bird into a species whose price and source of supply were publicly known. This lessened the status of keeping such birds and thereby reduced their profitability to black market suppliers.
Another case was on Nusa Penida, an island southeast of Bali. A Balinese conservation group planned to release starlings on the island. Some tried to block the plan, saying the island was outside the birds’ native zone. Eventually, the Governor of Bali came up with a plan. The starlings were given to a local temple as a ceremonial offering before they were released. This gave the Bali starling status as a “sacred bird”, giving them protection under customary laws. Now the released starlings established a breeding population on Nusa Penida.
Dr. Jepson commented, “I do not want to condemn the international approach seeking tighter law enforcement, but this case study shows we should not oversimplify how we respond to the problem of the wildlife trade. There is a growing body of evidence that shows more different approaches are sometimes needed to fit with the local social and political realities. We should tailor solutions on more of a case-by-case basis.”
1.What might have sped up the wild Bali starling’s extinction in 2006?
A.The bad natural environment.
B.The side effect of strict protection laws.
C.The debate over the wildlife trade.
D.The popularity of the bird in the world.
2.Why was the “crowd-breeding” model introduced?
A.To make the Bali starling less profitable.
B.To cut off the supply to the black market.
C.To increase the demand for the Bali starling.
D.To block the strict laws passed by the government.
3.What can we learn from the case on Nusa Penida?
A.The starlings were protected as a result of stricter laws.
B.It is unwise to release starlings outside their native zone.
C.The starlings were endangered due to their reduced status.
D.Attaching spiritual value to the starlings helps protect them.
4.Which of the following will Dr. Jepson probably agree with?
A.Stricter enforcement is needed to protect biodiversity.
B.Those who seek tighter law enforcement should be blamed.
C.There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the wildlife trade problem.
D.The problem of wildlife trade should be treated with determination.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Making Peace with Your Parents
As a teen, you’re going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are expanding. 1. Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are out in that world. These conflicts can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can’t be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents.
For instance, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted, or hungry. A good time to talk is when you’re all relaxed. Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you’d better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation—for now. 2.
3. How do you build trust? Trust comes by actually doing what you say you’re going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-makers—they’re interesting people who like to watch movies, and go shopping—just like their teenagers!
Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you’re listening.4.
What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky? 5. You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can lend an ear.
Remember you can only change your own behavior; your parents are the only ones who can change theirs.
A. You may consider seeking outside help.
B. You can pick it up again when everyone’s more relaxed.
C. And then you’ll be able to accept what your parents say.
D. Faced with the challenge, children don’t know what to do.
E. And your desire to take control of your own life is growing.
F. It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you’re not on the same page.
G. You are more likely to get along with your parents if your parents believe in you.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The challenge: Sail 30,000 miles around the globe, non-stop, alone. What could go wrong?
Susie Goodall ______ it this week. She was a(n) ______ in the Golden Globe Race which sends sailors from the coast of France around the earth. Goodall was 2,000 miles off South America when her boat was like a ______ man in a heavy storm and a broken bar knocked her ______ unconscious. She then activated the ______system and a series of troubling ______, which recorded her happenings during the journey, were ______ to her Twitter account.
Chile's Maritime Center received her ______ and soon ordered a cargo(货) ship to change its ______ to rescue Goodall. Meanwhile, all Goodall could do was wait—trying to keep her boat ______ in the waving South Pacific and pumping out water that was ______ into the damaged cabin(船舱).
When the Chilean ship finally ______ Goodall, employing a small boat to save her seemed ______ because up to13 feet waves, rocking both ships, would ______ the boat at any time. ______, crew members on board ______ a long thick rope from the ship, and pulled Goodall from her boat to safety. As luck would have it, the chosen method ______.
Goodall arrived at the Chilean port without any delay. On her Facebook, Goodall wrote: "They were the hardest and ______ days I’ve ever had. Actually, all I had wanted was a(n) ______ from my busy daily life. But out there in the sea, half the world from home, I might as well ______ home instead of taking the break."
1.A.made up for B.gave up on C.dropped out of D.found out about
2.A.accountant B.participant C.instructor D.organizer
3.A.homeless B.drunken C.dead D.happy
4.A.permanently B.completely C.briefly D.seriously
5.A.emergency B.operating C.heating D.insurance
6.A.updates B.questions C.fantasies D.thoughts
7.A.attached B.offered C.posted D.restricted
8.A.call B.warning C.signal D.reply
9.A.system B.course C.subject D.policy
10.A.dry B.tidy C.still D.steady
11.A.leaking B.disappearing C.floating D.dropping
12.A.rescued B.abandoned C.passed D.reached
13.A.obvious B.appropriate C.impossible D.inconvenient
14.A.swallow B.miss C.hit D.push
15.A.Besides B.However C.Instead D.Otherwise
16.A.lowered B.lifted C.anchored D.produced
17.A.failed B.worked C.developed D.remained
18.A.busiest B.biggest C.greatest D.longest
19.A.answer B.break C.message D.challenge
20.A.drive B.ride C.walk D.sail
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Since the concept introduced in this session is complex and abstract, students are given some time to _____ it.
A.consult B.explain C.digest D.accept
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
At the graduation ceremony, the head master _______ the degree certificates to the students one by one.
A.showed B.presented C.awarded D.delivered
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Besides British citizens, the new traffic law will also ______ to foreign drivers.
A.appeal B.refer C.apply D.attend
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
He is due to ________ a conference on some current affairs, including unemployment and education, next week.
A.address B.preview C.instruct D.assess
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
His study is in______: his house keeper has long since given up trying to put his papers in order.
A.trouble B.danger C.collision D.chaos
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The traffic on the main streets has a longer green signal than that on the small ones. What does the underlined "that" refer to?
A.the traffic B.the signal C.the street D.the time
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The two movie stars are _________ friendly off-camera, refusing even to take the same lift.
A.nothing but B.anything but C.more than D.no less
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It was ________ nice weather that we were able to have lunch in the garden.
A.so B.too C.such D.very
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Kathryn's just phoned to say she's working _____ this evening and we needn't wait for her for dinner.
A.late B.lately C.soon D.freely
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The basketball team has become virtually unstoppable ever since it _____Jack, a gifted player.
A.hosted B.included C.examined D.demanded
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Though small, they can be very aggressive, so if you see one, don’t mistake it for a soft lovely teddy bear! The sun bear lives in trees, 1. you’ll need to keep your eyes on the tree if you want to see one and you can only see them in the rain forests in Southeast Asia.
They are essential to our ecosystem because they help spread seeds while also 2. (keep) disgusting termites (白蚁) under control, which means there is less destroying of our tropical trees which in turn 3. (mean) our atmosphere is clean enough for us to live 4. (healthy).
When they do come down from the trees, they also dig for invertebrates (无脊椎动物) in the soil, thus 5. (improve) the forest’s nutrient cycle by mixing the rich and poor soil. Unfortunately, their global population 6. (decline) 30% over the last few years, making them the second 7. (rare) bear species next to the Giant Panda.
Their tongues are up to 25 cm in 8. (long) and help them to satisfy their greedy appetite for honey, 9.sometimes makes them known as “honey bears”. You can tell the Sun Bear 10. other bear species from the horseshoe marks on their chest. No two markings are the same!
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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 cold evening during the holiday season, a little boy about six or seven was standing in the front of a store window. The little child had no shoes and his clothes are just rags. A young woman passed by saw the little boy and could read the desire in his pale blue eyes. She took the child by the hand and led him into the store. There she bought her some new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothings. They walked back into the street, so the woman told the child to go home and has a happy holiday. The little boy looked grateful at her and asked why she did all this to him. She smiled and replied what she was just returning a favor she received as a child.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是高三学生李华，听完国外Clemson大学的来校宣讲后，很感兴趣。请写一封电邮给该校招生负责人，进一步咨询相关细节：
1. 所感兴趣专业的课程设置； 2. 学费和奖学金； 3.学生活动。
注意：可以增添适当细节，使行文完整。
字数：120左右。
参考词汇 宣讲会：recruiting presentation
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析