The Internet will open up new vistas (前景), create the global village——you can make new friends all around the world. That, at least, is what it promised us. The difficulty is that it did not take the human mind into account. The reality is that we cannot keep relationships with more than a limited number of people. No matter how hard the Internet tries to put you in communication, its best efforts will be defeated by your mind.
The problem is twofold(雙重的). First, there is a limit on the number of people we can hold in mind and have a meaningful relationship with. That number is about 150 and is set by the size of our brain. Second, the quality of your relationships depends on the amount of time you invest in then. We invest a lot in a small number of people and then distribute what’s left among as many others as we can. The problem is that if we invest little time in a person, our engagement with that person will decline until eventually it dies into “someone I once knew”.
This is not, of course, to say that the Internet doesn’t serve a socially valuable function. Of course it does. But the question is not that it allows you to increase the size of your social circle to include the rest of the world, but that you can keep your relationships with your existing friends going even though you have to move to the other side of the world.
In one sense, that’s a good thing. But it also has a disadvantage. If you continue to invest in your old friends even though you can no longer see them, then certainly you aren’t using your time to make new friends where you now live. And I suspect that probably isn’t the best use of your time. Meaningful relationships are about being able to communicate with each other, face to face. The Internet will slow down the rate with which relationships end, but it won’t stop that happening eventually.
小題1:The number of friends we can keep relationships with is decided by__________.
A.the InternetB.the time we haveC.the place we liveD.the mind
小題2:The underlined word “engagement” in the second paragraph probably means “__________”.
A.a(chǎn)ppointmentB.connectionC.interviewD.a(chǎn)greement
小題3:The author holds the view that___________.
A.the Internet helps to keep in touch with friends far away
B.the Internet determines the quality of social relationships
C.the Internet greatly increases the size of social circles
D.the Internet is of no value in social communication
小題4:What will the author encourage us to do?
A.To keep in touch with old friends when we have moved away.
B.To chat with friends often on the Internet.
C.To make more new friends face to face.
D.To stop using the Internet to make new friends.
小題5:What is the author’s attitude towards the use of the Internet to strengthen relationships?
A.He thinks it uselessB.He is hopeful of it.
C.He approves of it.D.He doubts it.

小題1:D
小題1:B
小題1:A
小題1:C
小題1:D
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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

In a recent class I was asked “What is a short story?” My first answer was that it was something that could be read in one sitting and brought an illumination(啟示)to the reader, sudden and golden like sunlight cracking(破裂, 砸開(kāi)) through a heavy cloud. I went on to say that in my opinion a “real” short story was closer to poetry than to a novel.
Here are some definitions of the short story. My favorite is Benet's: “something that can be read in an hour and remembered for a lifetime”. One writer said, “The theme of a novel won't fit into the framework of a short story; It's like trying to squeeze a large painting done on a wall into the frame of a miniature (微型畫)。 And as in a miniature painting, the details need to be sharp. ”
The short story is an example of one aspect of human nature. Often a character undergoes some event, something that offers him or her change. This is why it’s said that short stories usually “say something ”, often a small something, but sometimes delivered with such accuracy that the effect is strongly felt, even a life-moment for some readers, something similar to a religious experience or to witnessing a never-to-be-repeated scene in nature.
Ok, let’s form a definition here: A short story is an account, rarely over 10, 000 words or below 500 words-more commonly 1, 500 to 5, 000 words-a single-sitting read, but with enough time and weight to move the reader. It is narrow and focused to produce an effect through the story, most commonly through events affecting some change in an individual.
Writer Isabelle Allende once wrote: “Novels are, for me, adding up details, just work, work, work, then you're done. Short stories are more difficult-they have to be perfect, complete in themselves. ”
小題1:The writer of the passage is probably a ______.
A.poetB.painterC.teacherD.student
小題2:What should the ideal short story be in length?
A.a(chǎn)t most 10, 000 wordsB.below 500 wordsC.over 5, 000wordsD.a(chǎn)round 2, 000 words
小題3:The underlined word “undergoes ” in the third paragraph probably means “________ ”。
A.experiences B.discoversC.discussesD.a(chǎn)ppreciates
小題4:What’s the difference between novels and short stories?
A.Novels are too long for us to read.
B.Short stories are too short for us to read.
C.Short stories have more details than novels.
D.Short stories are more perfect and difficult than novels.
小題5:What would be the best title for the passage?
A.How Do You Write a Short Story?B.What Exactly Is a Short Story?
C.Is a Short Story Similar to Poetry?D.Are Short Stories Perfect and Complete?

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因構(gòu)成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副產(chǎn)品) of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
小題1:Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?
A.To express his doubts.B.To compare different ideas.
C.To introduce points for discussion.D.To describe the conditions on Earth.
小題2:What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?
A.Humans are nature-born to do so.B.Humans have the tendency to fight.
C.Humans may find new sources of food.D.Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.
小題3:The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.
A.survival chancesB.potential resources
C.unexpected benefitsD.physical possessions
小題4:What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?
A.O ur genetic makeup.B.Resources on the earth..
C.The adaptive ability of humans. D.By-products in space exploration.
小題5:Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?
A.Space exploration has created many wonders.
B.Space exploration provides the best value for money.
C.Space exploration can benefit science and technology
D.Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Good Genes Mean Long Life
Scientists have discovered that living to the age of 100 may have nothing to do with the lifestyle you lead and everything to do with the type of genes you have.
For the lucky carriers of “Methuselah” genes, worries over smoking, eating unhealthily and not getting enough exercise may not be as necessary as to those of us without the special gene pattern (組合).
The “Methuselah” genes could give extra protection against the diseases of old age such as cancer and heart disease. They could also protect people against the effects of the unhealthy lifestyles that we believe will lead us to an early death, scientists say. However, the genes are very rare.
The genes include ADIPOQ, which is found in about 10 percent of young people but in nearly 30 percent of people living past 100. They also include the CETP and the ApoC3 genes, which are found in 10 percent of young people, but in about 20 percent of people over 100 years old.
Some of those genes were discovered by a research group at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, led by Professor Nir Barzilai. The team studied the genes of over 500 people over 100 years old, and their children.
The studies show that tiny mutations (變異) in the make-up of some genes can greatly increase a person’s lifespan (壽命). Barzilai told a Royal Society conference that the discovery of such genes gave scientists clear targets for developing drugs that could prevent age-related diseases, allow people to live longer and stay healthy.
David Gems, a researcher at University College London, believes that drugs to slow ageing will become widespread.
“If we know which genes control longevity (長(zhǎng)壽) then we can … target them with drugs. That makes it possible to slow down ageing,” he told The Times.
“Much of the pain and suffering in the world are caused by ageing. If we can find a way to reduce that, then we are obliged (義不容辭的) to take it.”
小題1:According to the article, which of the following is the most important if a person is to live to the age of 100?
A.Eating healthy food every day.B.Having the right types of genes.
C.Having a healthy lifestyle.D.Taking drugs that prevent ageing.
小題2:According to the article, the ApoC3 gene is found in ________ of people over 100 years old.
A.10% B.20%C.30% D.50%
小題3:Which of the following statements is TRUE of the research led by Professor Nir Barzilai?
A.The team studied the genes of over 100 people over 100 years of age.
B.The researchers found that mutations in certain genes lead to longer life.
C.The researchers found ways to develop drugs that could cure age-related diseases.
D.The study suggested that most people have genes that could lengthen their lives.
小題4: According to David Gems, ________.
A.drugs to slow ageing will be very expensive
B.modern science will be able to find more longevity genes
C.it is the duty of medical scientists to fight the problems of ageing
D.scientists can make new genes that will allow longer life

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

When Emily Beardmore first heard that a trip was being planned by the biology class at Windsor High School, she thought about how much fun it would be.
“I thought it would be a really good experience to go with other friends and teachers to another country in an environment other than a vacation environment,” the 17-year-old girl said.
A few months later, Emily got her chance when she and 14 of her classmates, along with biology teacher Tamara Pennington went to Costa Rica for eight days in late May.
“It was not just a tour,” said Pennington, who organized the trip. “You can go any place in the world on just a tour. This one was really working with the sea turtles (海龜) and practicing conservation(保護(hù)). It just seemed like the perfect science field trip for kids who think they want to get into science to see what it's really like to be out in the field and enjoy themselves.”
Emily said her time on the turtle program, which was the focus of the trip, was “crazy.”“We were walking on the beach at night and you can’t see anything—just see a big black dot.” She said with a laugh. “I was not expecting the turtles to be that big.” The turtles are leatherback turtles, which are becoming extinct (滅絕) because their eggs are used as food.
“When they would move their legs while laying their eggs they were really hard to control because they were a lot more powerful than you would imagine,” Emily said.
Once the eggs were collected, the students took them back to a hatchery(孵化場(chǎng)) and dug holes to copy the hole the mother turtle had made and then buried the eggs for the 60 days needed to hatch.
“The experience was so cool,” Emily said. “You go to another country to see what their culture is like and learn what their everyday lives are like. It made me really want to help out my mom a lot more than I do, and value what I have.”
小題1:What did Pennington consider the trip to be?
A.It was a common tour to a foreign country.
B.It was a journey to practice what students learned.
C.It was to attract students’ interest in science.
D.It was a trip to do practical science activities.
小題2:From what Emily said on her turtle program, we know that     .
A.she was afraid of walking on the beach at night
B.she didn’t dare to catch the powerful turtles
C.she had thought turtles were small animals
D.she got crazy at the sight of turtles at night
小題3:What did Emily learn from her experience?
A.She learned to be grateful to her teachers.
B.She understood the importance of what she had.
C.She realized the beauty of foreign culture.
D.She knew the importance of everyday life
小題4:What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Teens Help Fight Turtle Extinction.
B.Teens Take a tour to Costa Rica.
C.Teens Have a Research on Turtles.
D.Teens Learn to be Independent.

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Do you think it is ever a good idea for a teenager to have a credit card?
My kids watch closely as I swipe the card through the register.They’ve seen me do it hundreds, thousands of times.Cool.They are itching to swipe it through the machine themselves. When we walk out of the store with our groceries or pet food, or whatever, it’s almost as though money has not changed hands, painless, easy.
So it shouldn’t be shocking to discover that teenagers are becoming card carrying consumers in their own right.The question is, should they?
While some argue it’s best to teach kids how to use a credit card while still living under the family roof, not everyone agrees. Dave Ramsey, financial expert says getting a credit card for your teenager is actually, “an excellent way to teach him or her to be financially irresponsible.”
Now parents are required to co-sign on credit cards for children under 21.“If their name is on the credit card, then the parent may say, ‘Hey, my name is on this.Don’t get me into trouble,” says Mary Beth Pinto, a marketing professor.“When parents were the co-obligors(共同借貸人),the children caused less debt.If the parents are the co-obligors, the tendency is that the parents were explaining how to use the cards.” Still, Pinto believes parents should start the process much earlier.“Yes, there has to be teaching going on and it has to start when they’re younger. You’re not going to get rid of credit cards.They are here to stay. You have to have them. You can’t fight progress,” Pinto said.
Ramsey, however, disagrees.“Throwing teens into a pool of (credit)sharks is a sure way to guarantee a life-time of heartache,” he said.“You can make online purchases and rent a car with a credit card.Of course, you must have money in your bank account before you can make a purchase with a credit card.But paying for things with money is what you are supposed to do.”
小題1:The author mentioned her experience in Para 2 mainly to______.
A.prove the convenience of using credit cards
B.tell what impression credit cards leave on kids
C.give advice on using credit cards wisely
D.explain the pleasure credit cards bring to customers
小題2:The underlined word in Para 2 can be replaced by __________.
A.eagerB.a(chǎn)fraidC.embarrassedD.thankful
小題3:What’s Ramsey’s attitude towards teens’ using credit cards?
A.He feels it is worth a try
B.He is very supportive
C.He is strongly against it
D.He considers it as a pleasant experience
小題4:Pinto will most likely agree that __________.
A.parents should let teens own their credit cards earlier
B.you shouldn’t be in control of credit cards
C.it is never good for anyone to get a credit card
D.learning to use credit cards is practical

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

A scientist who developed a way to calculate how much water is used in the production of anything from a cup of coffee to a hamburger was awarded the 2008 Stockholm Water Prize.
Professor John Anthony Allan of the University of London in Britain won the award for introducing the idea of “virtual water (虛擬水)”, a calculation method that has changed the nature of trade policy and research.
Allan has written seven books and published more than 100 papers.
The Stockholm International Water Institute said this idea is now embedded (埋藏) in the production of foods and industrial products. The institute said Allan’s work had made a big effect on global trade policy and research, especially in water-scarce (缺水的) regions.
“The improved understanding of trade and water management issues on local, regional and global scales are of the highest value for the successful and sustainable (可持續(xù)的) use of water resources,” it said.
“People do not only use water when they drink it or take a shower,” the institute said. “Behind the morning cup of coffee, there are 140 liters of water that was used to grow, produce, package and ship the beans.” That is about as much water as a person in England uses on average for all daily drinking and household needs.
“For a single hamburger, about 2,400 liters of water are needed. In the USA, the average person uses nearly 7,000 liters of virtual water every day.” It said that was more than three times the average use of a Chinese person.
小題1:Allan was awarded the prize because _______.
A.he wrote seven books on trade policy
B.he published more than 100 papers on water management
C.he found a new kind of water in water-scarce areas
D.he came up with the idea of virtual water
小題2:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The average American uses about 7,000 liters of water a day.
B.The average Chinese uses nearly 2,300 liters of virtual water a day.
C.An Englishman usually drinks about 140 liters of coffee a day.
D.A hamburger usually contains about 2,400 liters of water.
小題3:What do we learn about John Anthony Allan from the passage?
A. He won the 2008 Nobel Prize.        B. He has written over 100 books.
C. He works at the University of London.        D. He lives in the USA.
小題4:What effect does the idea of virtual water have?
A.It helps us realize the importance of trade.
B.It helps people do successful business.
C.It helps us make use of water scientifically.
D.It tells us how much water we use a day.

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Sometimes life gets a little dull. What used to be fun and different becomes boring. That is the time to look for something new. It is the time for a big idea to get your mind off everyday life. So why not search for extraterrestrial (地球外的) intelligence? Or even better, why not get your computer to do it for you?
Over two million people have joined the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence(SETI)project. Based in California, the SETI project analyzes information taken from a giant radio telescope based in South America. Its task is to look for signals from outer space that might prove that life exists on other planets.
Processing this information is far too big a job for one computer. So the SETI project workers divide the work among volunteers who visit their website. Each computer gets some information to work out from the SETI network through the Internet. This process is often known as “meta-computing”.
It is a wonderful thought. You are sleeping, eating a meal or going out with friends. All this time, your computer is searching the stars for signs that might show something is out there trying to get in touch. Volunteers are proud of being involved in the SETI project. It shows that they understand the potential (潛能) of computing. They know that it is more than just a way of working or playing games.
Meta-computing may also be creating intelligence as well as looking for it. This idea is based on the theory that human intelligence is created by the way in which different parts of the brain communicate with each other. As the saying goes, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” People who join the SETI project sometimes wonder whether their computer will become part of a huge network that has learned to think for itself.
小題1:According to the writer, meta-computing may be creating intelligence    .
A.because human beings are intelligentB.because a computer works as the brain does
C.because of a network of many computersD.because of the number of computers
小題2: Which of the following shows the order in which the SETI network works?
A.Radio telescope→SETI website→Volunteers’ computer→SETI base
B.Radio telescope→SETI base→SETI website→Volunteers’ computer
C.SETI base→SETI website→Volunteers’ computers→Radio telescope
D.SETI base→Radio telescope→SETI website→Volunteers’ computers
小題3: The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refers to _____ .
A.extra-terrestrial intelligenceB.human intelligence
C.the SETI projectD.meta-computing
小題4:The passage mainly tells us about _____.      
A.a(chǎn) new way to work on the computer
B.a(chǎn) new way to work and play games
C.a(chǎn) new way to search for life outside the earth
D.a(chǎn) new way to make computers learn to think for itself

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科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

With the development of society and economy, animals and their habitats are getting pushed aside as households decrease in size and increase in number.
Small numbers of people per household on average use more energy and goods per person. Greater numbers of households require more natural resources for construction. The possible result of this problem may be insufficient natural resources to meet consumer demand without endangering habitats important to biodiversity.
Personal freedom and social choice may come at huge environmental cost. Direct costs include visible damage to animal habitats and plant life. Indirect costs include the release of more greenhouse gases.
The effects of such “personal freedom and social choice” have already surfaced in south-west China’s Wolong Nature Reserve. In Wolong, they found that a reduced average household size was directly tied to an increase in homes, and thus an increase in the amount of firewood consumed for cooking and heating. The rise in wood fuel use has contributed to disappearance of forests and to the loss of habitats for giant pandas. 
Curious about whether other parts of the world were experiencing similar phenomena, they got the support of a team of researchers including Stanford’s Paul Ehrlich, well-known for his population studies, to find out the household dynamics in 141 countries between 1985 and 2000. Their study proved that the difficult choice of Wolong is part of a global trend.
In the 76 countries considered biodiversity “hotspots”, such as the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Kenya, the number of households grew by 3.1% every year, while the population increased just 1.8%. Meanwhile, the number of people per home dropped from 4.7 to 4.0. The decline in household size has resulted in 155 million additional households in hotspot countries, almost always limiting biodiversity.
In the 10 non-hotspot countries — those without high-density areas of animal and plant species — similar results were found, though on a lesser scale. Even in countries experiencing population decline, such as New Zealand, the number of households still increased because of a reduction in household size.
小題1:What does the underlined word “insufficient” mean?
A.Plenty of.B.Not enough.C.Abundant.D.Little.
小題2:It can be learned from the passage that China’s Wolong Nature Reserve_____
A.is facing the same threat as many other parts of the world
B.sets a good example in protecting animals
C.is a place where giant pandas and their habitats are not affected
D.is a place where animals and their habitats are seriously damaged
小題3:Which of the following is best supported by the last two paragraphs?
A.Biodiversity is better kept in countries with smaller populations.
B.Biodiversity is better kept in hotspot countries.
C.The threat to nature from reduction in household size is a worldwide problem.
D.Both hotspot countries and non-hotspot countries face the threat of the same scale.
小題4: What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.Reduced household size leads to an increase in household number.
B.Modern homes consume more natural resources.
C.How to meet consumer demand without endangering animals and their habitats.
D.Reduction in household size as well as increase in household number threatens nature.

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