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Elephant seals in funny-looking hats are helping NASA study climate science.
Equipped with specialized sensors that resemble tiny metal hats with antennae(大线），these seals are collecting data that's helping researchers track how heat moves through ocean currents. A team of climate scientists led by Lia Siegelman used this clever technique to track changes in temperature as the seal swam the icy waters of the Antarctic.
With the help of one particularly female seal,the researchers discovered that heat stored at the ocean's depths can sometimes get swirled(打旋）back up to the surface thanks to some deeply penetrating(穿透）currents.While researchers have known that these currents can ferry heat downward into the ocean's interior(内部），the new findings suggest the opposite is true as well-driving a process that can warm the sea's surface as well.
Siegelman thinks it's important to include this new information into existing climate models.Before seals entered the picture,scientists had a pretty limited view of what went on beneath the surface of the Southern Ocean.Here,temperatures can suddenly fall below－1℃,and thick sheets of sea ice block instruments from collecting data.All in all,it's a pretty unappealing area for underwater field work.
But none of that troubles southern elephant seals,which spend nine to ten months of each year at sea,swimming thousands of miles and diving up to half a mile beneath the ocean surface-usually about 80 times a day.
So Siegelman and her colleagues tagged a female elephant seal on the Kerguelen Islands.The researchers followed her 3,000-mile journey,during which she dived 6,333 times."Even when they sleep,they dive,"Siegelman said.“They float down like a leaf."
Combined with satellite images,the wealth of data the seal recovered gave Siegelman and her team a clearer picture than they'd ever been afforded before.It's probably safe to say that the significance of this was lost on the seal.But from the human perspective(观点），it's clear seals are filling in some massive gaps in knowledge.
1.How did the researchers collect climate data in the Antarctic?
A.By testing a high-tech hat.
B.By studying a seal's behavior.
C.By measuring the water temperature.
D.By attaching a sensor to a seal's head.
2.The new findings indicate that_
A.ocean currents can drive heat up to the surface
B.heat can be taken down into the ocean's interior
C.the warm temperatures can help seals dive deep
D.the world's waters can balance global warming
3.The researchers used seals to monitor the Southern Ocean probably because.
A.the scenery is unattractive
B.the sea floor is changeable
C.seals are aggressive hunters
D.seals are extraordinary divers
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.Seals help us observe the unknown world.
B.Satellites are used to track human activities.
C.The ocean presents a more beautiful picture.
D.Data are analyzed for better survival of seals.
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The Earth is facing a climate crisis, but it’s also getting greener. According to a new research, the rise is largely because of China and India. A study by NASA, based on extensive satellite imagery, has revealed that the two countries with the world’s biggest populations are also responsible for the largest increase in green plants.
A third of the leaf increase is attributable to China and India, due to major tree planting projects as well as a vast increase in agriculture. “China and India account for one-third of the greening, but contain only 9% of the planet’s land area covered in vegetation (植被)—a surprising finding, considering the large populations in the countries need much land,” Chi Chen, the study’s lead author said in a statement.
Between 2000 and 2017, a NASA sensor gathered data of the Earth’s surface from aboard two satellites, the Terra and the Aqua. Using the data, researchers discovered that China is the source of a quarter of the increase in green leaf area, despite possessing only 6.6% of the world’s vegetated area. Forests account for 42% of that increase, while croplands make up a further 32%. China’s increase in forest area is the result of forest conservation and expansion programs, established to combat the impacts of climate change and air pollution.
Rama Nemani, a researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center, said in a statement, “When the greening of the Earth was first observed, we thought it was due to a warmer, wetter climate from the added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to more leaf growth in northern forests, for instance. Now, with the data, we see that humans are also contributing,” Nemani said. “This will help scientists make better predictions about the behavior of different Earth systems, which will help countries make better decisions about how and when to take action.”
1.What’s the text mainly about?
A.The climate crisis the Earth is facing.
B.A solution to global climate warming.
C.Actions taken to fight against air pollution.
D.China and India’s contributions to global greening.
2.Why is the finding considered surprising for China and India?
A.They need much land for agriculture.
B.They are greatly polluted countries.
C.They are rich in natural resources.
D.They both face a serious food crisis.
3.What percentage does China make up of the total green leaf growth?
A.6.6%. B.25%.
C.33%. D.42%.
4.What did Rama Nemani’s want to emphasize?
A.The scientists made a wrong prediction.
B.Climate is a critical factor in leaf growth.
C.Human efforts cannot be ignored.
D.It is never too late to take actions.
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It is important to protect yourself from harmful rays. But if you think a high-factor sunscreen keeps you safe from harmful rays, you may be wrong. Research in this week’s Nature shows that while factor 50 reduces the number of melanomas(黑素瘤)and delays their occurrence, it can’t prevent them. Melanomas are the most aggressive skin cancers. You have a higher risk if you have red or blond hair, fair skin, blue or green eyes, or sunburn easily, or if a close relative has had one. Melanomas are more common if you have periodic intense exposure to the sun. Other skin cancers are increasingly likely with long-term exposure.
There is continuing debate as to how effective sunscreen is in reducing melanomas—the evidence is weaker than it is for preventing other types of skin cancer. A 2011 Australian study of 1,621 people found that people randomly selected to apply sunscreen daily had half the rate of melanomas of people who used cream as needed. A second study, comparing 1,167 people with melanomas to 1,101 who didn’t have the cancer, found that using sunscreen routinely, alongside other protection such as hats, long sleeves or staying in the shade, did give some protection. This study said other forms of sun protection—no sunscreen—seemed most beneficial. The study relied on people remembering what they had done over each decade of their lives, so it’s not entirely reliable. But it seems reasonable to think sunscreen gives people a false sense of security in the sun.
Many people also don’t use sunscreen properly applying insufficient amounts, failing to reapply after a couple of hours and staying in the sun too long. It is sunburn that is most worrying—recent research shows five episodes of sunburn in the teenage years increase the risk of all skin cancers.
The good news is that a combination of sunscreen and covering up can reduce melanoma rates, as shown by Australian figures from their slip-slop-slap campaign. So if there is a heat wave this summer, it would be best for us, too, to slip on a shirt, use sunscreen and slap on a hat.
1.What’s people’s common expectation of high-factor sunscreen?
A.It will protect them from sunburn.
B.It will keep their skin smooth and fair.
C.It will work for people of any skin color.
D.It will delay the occurrence of skin cancer.
2.What can we learn from Paragraph 2?
A.Sunscreen can prevent all kinds of skin cancers.
B.The studies are based on direct observation of the subjects.
C.The studies may help people select the most effective sunscreen.
D.Daily application of sunscreen helps reduce the incidence of melanomas.
3.What does the author suggest in order to reduce melanoma rates?
A.Staying in the shade whenever possible.
B.Using covering up instead of sunscreen.
C.Using both covering up and sunscreen.
D.Applying the right amount of sunscreen.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.No Way to Stop Harmful Rays!
B.Does Sunscreen Prevent Skin Cancer?
C.Did You Use Sunscreen in the Right Way?
D.Skin Cancer—The Biggest Threat to Human Beings!
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The elephant was lying heavily on its side, fast asleep. A few dogs started barking at it. The elephant woke up in a terrible anger: it ran after the dogs into the village where they ran for safety.
That didn't stop the elephant. It destroyed a dozen houses and injured several people. The villagers were scared and angry. Then someone suggested calling Parbati, the elephant princess.
Parbati Barua's father was a hunter of tigers and an elephant tamer. He taught Parbati to ride an elephant before she could even walk. He also taught her the dangerous art of the elephant round-up—how to catch wild elephants. Parbati hasn't always lived in the jungle. After a happy childhood hunting with her father, she was sent to boarding school in the city. But Parbati never got used to being there and many years later she went back to her old life. “Life in the city is too dull. Catching elephants is an adventure and the excitement lasts for days after the chase,” she says.
But Parbati doesn't catch elephants just for fun. “My work,” she says, “is to rescue man from the elephants, and to keep the elephants safe from man.” And this is exactly what Parbati has been doing for many years. Increasingly, the Indian elephant is angry: for many years, illegal hunters have attacked it and its home in the jungle has been reduced to small pieces of land. It is now fighting back. Whenever wild elephants enter a tea garden or a village, Parbati is called to guide the animals back to the jungle before they can kill.
The work of an elephant tamer also involves love and devotion. A good elephant tamer will spend hours a day singing love songs to a newly—caught elephant. “Eventually they grow to love their tamers and never forget them. They are also more loyal than humans.” she said, as she climbed up one of her elephants and sat on the giant, happy animal. An elephant princess indeed!
1.For Parbati, catching elephants is mainly to ______.
A.get long lasting excitement B.keep both man and elephants safe
C.send them back to the jungle D.make the angry elephants tame
2.Before Parbati studied in a boarding school, ______.
A.she spent her time hunting with her father
B.she learned how to sing love songs after class
C.she was taught how to hunt tigers in the woods
D.she had already been called an elephant princess
3.Why are Indian elephants beginning to fight back?
A.Because illegal hunters catch them and kill them
B.Because they are caught and sent for heavy work
C.Because they are attacked and their land gets limited
D.Because dogs usually bark at them and interrupt them
4.The elephant story in the beginning shows that in India ______.
A.dogs are often as powerful as elephants
B.people easily fall victims to elephants' attacks
C.elephant tamers are becoming fewer and fewer
D.the man-elephant relationship is getting much worse
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“Hey, how are you doing? I’m Courtney. What grade are you in? What’s your favorite book? Elephant and Piggy? Yeah, I got it.”
If you thought you’d walked into a library with a greeting like that, you wouldn’t be too far off. In fact, you’ve entered the workplace of Courtney Holmes, the Storybook Barber.
Two years ago, Dubuque, Iowa, held its first yearly Back to School Bash, offering needy families an opportunity to learn about free resources in the community. Holmes agreed to participate. Saturday was his busiest haircutting day, but he chose to donate his time and give free haircuts to underprivileged kids so they’d look sharp on that first day of classes. But then he had a lightbulb moment(突然醒悟的一瞬): “The kids should earn their free haircut by having to read a book to me,” Holmes said.
The idea was so popular that he continued it for the next two years. Five-to ten-year-old boys would grab a favorite book, settle into the barber chair, and read aloud while Holmes cut their hair. If they stuttered(结结巴巴) over a word, Holmes was there to help.
After the haircut, they’d review the book, from the characters and vocabulary to the themes --- just like in school, only more fun.
Holmes admits he, too, benefits from the free snip-and-reads.
“There was this seven-year-old Bob, who struggled through his book, stuttering over words even though he didn’t have a stutter,” said Holmes. He had the boy take the book home and practice. When the child came back a few days later, “He read it with no problems. That inspires me.”
Holmes and his family have recently moved from Dubuque to a Chicago suburb. When they get settled, he plans to continue his role as the Storybook Barber. “The way the world is today is with guns and violence,” he says, “it’s a safe haven for the kids, to come to the barbershop and read books.”
1.What does the underlined word “underprivileged” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Unruly. B. Poor. C. Intelligent. D. Unusual.
2.What did Holmes say about Bob?
A. He fired his enthusiasm. B. He gifted him a new book.
C. He preferred to read alone. D. He had a language disability.
3.What can we infer about Holmes from the last paragraph?
A. He showed great concern for kids. B. He faced serious money problems.
C. He had an excellent sense of humor. D. He built a shelter for homeless kids.
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Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they forget a great thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.
Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the danger for obesity among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties (关系) could improve brain health as we age.
“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t well realized,” said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. “Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological (心理的) health than family relationships.”
While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart disease. Only smoking was as important a danger factor (因素) as having little social support.
The exact reason why friendship has such a big effect isn’t clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. “People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,” said Karen, a doctor. “The message of these studies is that friends make your life better.”
1.The three studies in paragraph 2 show that ________.
A.social ties have something to do with health
B.friends can help us lose weight
C.old people need friends the most
D.having more friends makes us healthier
2.Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “obesity”?
A.health B.unhappiness C.excitement D.fatness
3.What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Friendship is more important to women than to men.
B.What people need most is a friend’s care.
C.The value of friendship hasn’t been fully understood.
D.Friendship is more important than family relationship.
4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Smoking and lack of friends are also risk factors for health.
B.Friendship and family relationships have equal effects on health.
C.Close friendships are good for women but not for men.
D.It is clear why friendship has such a huge impact on health.
5.What is the passage mainly about?
A.How to keep healthy.
B.The importance of doctors or self-help books.
C.The relationship between friendship and health.
D.How to improve family relationships.
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After entering high school, you must wonder how to study well. Here are some good skills for you, which will be helpful to you.
Go to class.
If you want to do well at school, going to class is the first step in studying well. If you miss (错过) classes, you will miss what the teacher thinks is important; as a result, you'll miss what is the most likely to end up on the test. 1.
Take good notes.
Try not to write down everything. 2.Write down unfamiliar terms. After class, review (复习) your notes as soon as possible. You can fill in details that you missed and review the material while it is still fresh on your mind. 3.
If you are struggling in class, talk to your teacher. He or she may be able to give you more help or tutor (指导) you before or after class. Most teachers have little sympathy (同情) for students who just become worried about failing during the last few weeks of the grading period.
Take part in class discussions.
In order to learn more in class, it is helpful to take part in class discussions. Asking questions and having eye contact (交流) with your teachers and classmates can increase your participation (参与) and your focus during the class discussion.4.This helps you make your point clear in class.
Form study groups.
5.Make sure that everyone is familiar with the material because you do not want to spend time re-teaching material to people who do not understand it. Be careful! Sometimes group sessions can become chatting sessions.
A.Talk to your teacher if you need help.
B.Don't be late for your class.
C.So if you want to study well, go to every class.
D.You should write down all the new terms.
E.All you need is to put the main points in your own words.
F.Get students together who want to do well in class.
G.If the material is difficult, you'd better read it before class.
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How to Study Smarter, Not Harder
Here are some of our favorite tips that will help any student study smarter, not harder：
Recite As You Study
Recitingsaying things out loud—should first take place as you read through each paragraph or section.Test yourself.This will help you to understand as well as learn faster because it is more active than reading or listening.It will also help you to notice your mistakes and the topics you have trouble understanding.
Study the Middle
The best time to review is soon after you've learned something.You are more likely to remember the material at the beginning and the end of the lesson, so make sure you focus on the middle when you review.
Take Fuller Notes
Notes should be in your own words, brief and clear.They should be tidy and easy to read.Writing notes will help you better than just underlining as you read, since it forces you to rewrite ideas in your own words.
Sleep on it
Study before going to bed, unless you are very tired.It's easier to remember material you've just learned after sleeping than after an equal period of daytime activity, because your brain continues to think even after you've fallen asleep.
Combing Memory and Understanding
There are two ways to remember：by memorizing and by understanding.Multiplication tables, telephone numbers, and math formulas are better learned by rote(死记硬背)while ideas are best learned by understanding.
The more ways you have to think about an idea, the more meaning it will have：the more meaningful the learning, the better you can remember it.Pay attention to similarities in ideas and concepts and then try to understand how they fit in with thing you already know.Never be satisfied with anything less than a completely clear understanding of what you are reading.If you are not able to follow the thought, go back to the place where you first got confused and try again.
Titles：Tips on 1.in a smarter way
Right things to be done
Details
2.
◆Help you study in an3. way
◆Make you aware of your mistakes and problems
Notes
4.
◆brief and clear
◆tidy and easy to read
Advantages
You can benefit a lot more than5. when you read.
Sleep on it
Studying before going to bed brings about better 6. for material you've just learned.
7. of memory and understanding
◆Considering an idea in as many different8. as possible.
◆9. similar ideas and concepts
◆Going back to what first cause your 10. and start again
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Here are some of our favorite study tips that will help any student study smarter, not harder：
Recite As You Study
Reciting — saying things out loud should first take place as you read through each paragraph or section. Test yourself. This will help you to understand as well as learn faster because it is more active than reading or listening. It will also help you to notice your mistakes and the topics you have trouble understanding.
Take Fuller Notes
Notes should be in your own words, brief and clear. They should be tidy and easy to read. Writing notes will help you better than just underlining as you read, since it forces you to rewrite ideas in your own words.
Study the Middle
The best time to review is soon after you've learned something. You are more likely to remember the material at the beginning and the end of the lesson, so make sure you focus on the middle when you review.
Sleep on It
Study before going to bed, unless you are very tired. It's easier to remember material you've just learned after sleeping than after an equal period of daytime activity, because your brain continues to think even after you've fallen asleep.
Combine Memory and Understanding
There are two ways to remember: by memorizing and by understanding. Multiplication tables(乘法表), telephone numbers, and math formulas are better learned by memorizing, while ideas are best learned by understanding.
The more ways you have to think about an idea, the more meaning it will have; the more meaningful the learning, the better you can remember it. Pay attention to similarities in ideas and concepts, and then try to understand how they fit in with things you already know. Never be satisfied with anything less than a completely clear understanding of what you are reading. If you are not able to follow the thought, go back to the place where you first got confused and try again.
1.You can notice your mistakes by ________.
A. saying things out aloud B. taking notes
C. studying the middle D. sleeping on it
2.When taking notes, you should ________ to better help you with reading.
A. underline important notes
B. write notes in your own words
C. take down every detail
D. write as quickly as possible
3.The writer advises you to ________ as it is easier for you to remember material.
A. study after a period of activity
B. do some exercise after studying
C. study as soon as you get up
D. study before going to sleep
4.Which of the following is NOT helpful for your understanding?
A. Thinking about an idea in different ways.
B. Relating ideas and concepts with what you already know.
C. Reading from the beginning to the end without stop.
D. Going back to what first made you confused and start again.
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How to Study Smarter, Not Harder
Here are some of our favorite study tips that will help any student study smarter, not harder:
Recite As You Study
Reciting—saying things out loud should first take place as you read through each paragraph or section. Test yourself. This will help you to understand as well as learn faster because it is more active than reading or listening. It will also help you to notice your mistakes and the topics you have trouble understanding.
Take Fuller Notes
Notes should be in your own words, brief and clear. They should be tidy and easy to read. Writing notes will help you better than just underlining as you read, since it forces you to rewrite ideas in your own words.
Study the Middle
The best time to review is soon after you’ve learned something. You are more likely to remember the material at the beginning and the end of the lesson, so make sure you focus on the middle when you review.
Sleep On It
Study before going to bed, unless you are very tired. It’s easier to remember material you’ve just learned after sleeping than after an equal period of daytime activity, because your brain continues to think even after you’ve fallen asleep.
Combine Memory and Understanding
There are two ways to remember: by memorizing and by understanding. Multiplication tables, telephone numbers, and math formulas are better learned by rote. Ideas are best learned by understanding.
The more ways you have to think about an idea, the more meaning it will have; the more meaningful the learning, the better you can remember it. Pay attention to similarities in ideas and concepts, and then try to understand how they fit in with things you already know. Never be satisfied with anything less than a completely clear understanding of what you are reading. If you are not able to follow the thought, go back to the place where you first got confused and try again.
1. You can notice your mistakes by _______.
A. saying things out aloud B. taking notes
C. studying the middle D. sleeping on it
2.When taking notes, you should _______ to better help you with reading.
A. underline important notes
B. write notes in your own words
C. take down every detail
D. write as quickly as possible
3.The writer advises you to _______ as it is easier for you to remember material.
A. study after a period of activity
B. do some exercise after studying
C. study as soon as you get up
D. study before going to sleep
4.Which of the following is NOT helpful for your understanding?
A. Thinking about an idea in different ways.
B. Relating ideas and concepts with what you already know.
C. Reading from the beginning to the end without stop.
D. Going back to what first made you confused and start again.