[A] place
[B] chance
[C] point
[D] time
Passage Two:Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.Computers may one day turn night into day—with good old, natural sunlight.
Colossal computer-controlled mirrors, thousands of feet across, may one day orbit the earth, reflecting sunlight onto a darkened United States.
Some Scientists say that 16 of these mirrors, each about a half mile across, could aim their reflected light at one area on the earth that was about 200 miles by 300 miles. That much light would equal about 56 moons.
The mirrors would be so high that they could catch the sun’s light as it was shining on the other side of the earth. The mirrors could orbit—thousands of miles high—at the same speed as the earth turns on its axis (轴). That way, the mirrors would always be over the same spot.
The aluminum-coated (涂铝的), plastic mirrors could be folded up and packed into a spaceship, according to the scientists. Once released a few hundred miles in space, the mirrors, powered by a solar-powered engine, could mark the rest of the trip into space on their own.
The scientists say that the computer-controlled mirrors could also be made to tilt (倾斜) slowly, so the reflected sunlight would sweep slowly along the surface of the earth. For example, as night fell, the mirrors could be tilted to light up Boston. Later on, as darkness spread slowly westward. Chicago, for example, then San Francisco could be lit up. The reflected sunlight would allow these cities to save up electricity. And in emergencies, such as power-failures, the mirrors could light up the affected area.
What no one knows yet is what effect this artificial daytime would have on plants, animals, and humans. Would it confuse some animals and harm plants that are used to regular day-night cycles? The scientists recommend that studies be done to find out what had effects there might be.
第26题:The word “colossal” in Line 3 most likely means ________.
A. nuclear-powered
B. orbiting
C. giant
D. spinning
Stress at Work and Still Healthy The term could yet become the word of the year; stress is on everyone’s lips these days and everywhere. Not only managers, officials and teachers are complaining nowadays, housewives, children and pensioners now also have their own problems. They too sacrifice themselves for others, feel under-or overworked and quickly lose their inner balance. Irritation, tiredness and exhaustion quickly follow. But that is only the negative aspect. Stress, after all, is also linked to positive terms such as joy of life, tension and vitality(活力).
“Firstly, stress is healthy,” says Wolfgang Stehling from Eltvelle. The doctor and management consultant says:” It occurs when the body loses its inner balance, but then stress hormones are produced to re-establish the balance.” Thus stress is nothing more than a positive reaction of the body to pressure. It is unavoidable as part of our nature: ”There is no such thing as a stress-free life.”
But whether stress leads to tensions in the mind or to tenseness of the muscles depends on the duration(持续时间), its cause or causes and the sufferer’s personal situation. People who have trouble sleeping or suffer from bad moods or simply the flu will not be on top of the world and will take every little strife as negative stress. Others, people who feel refreshed at every new turn, are relaxed and successful, will view a difficult round of negotiations or competition at work more as a positive challenge than a cross to bear.
Exercise, healthy eating and relaxing are thus the three pillars by which stress can be conquered almost every time. These factors form. a unit, explains Marita Voelker-Albert, spokeswoman for the government’s Nutrition Advice Center in Cologne. Its campaign “Gut Drauf” (Feeling Good) is targeted at young people. The government agency’s research suggests that three out of four adolescents feel tired, overtaxed(负担过重)and under stress. Eating disorders and complaints such as migraines(偏头痛)and indigestion(消化不良),nervousness and concentration problems have increased among 12- to 16-year-olds.
But even the best solutions don’t work if they are not put into practice, says Stehling. Anybody who goes jogging regularly, practices yoga(瑜伽功)and prescribes good literature as a cure for negative stress, may well end up under more pressure as he tries to find the time for it all. Sometimes, says the consultant, it helps to take time out to reduce stress levels over a weekend.
第6题:Which of the following is NOT a correct view on stress?
A. Stress has both positive and negative aspects.
B. Stress is only a positive reaction of the body to pressure.
C. Stress only leads to serious problems.
D. Stress is unavoidable as part of our nature.
Women are more likely to use
A. the survey method.
B. the traditional method.
C. he route method.
D. the right method.