Science fiction often presents us with planets that speak a single language. However,【1】 humans can express themselves in several thousand languages is a delight. Few would welcome the loss of this variety, and, along with it, a multiplicity of nations and cultures.

Unfortunately, the days 【2】 English shares the planet with thousands of other languages are numbered. A traveler to the future is likely to notice two things about the language landscape of Earth. One, there will be vastly fewer languages. Two, languages will be 【3】 (complicated) than they are today.

By 2115, it’s possible that only about 600 languages will be left on the planet as opposed to today’s 6,000. Too often, colonization has led to the disappearance of languages: Native speakers are punished 【4】 using their own languages. Urbanization has only furthered the destruction by bringing people away from their homelands to cities where a single language dominates.

In addition, it is easy for speakers to associate larger languages with opportunities and smaller ones with backwardness. Consequently, people stop passing on smaller languages to their children.

There are diligent efforts 【5】 (keep) endangered languages from dying. Sadly, few are likely to lead to communities’ 【6】 (raise) children in the languages, which is the only way the languages exist as their full selves.

Instead, many communities create new versions of the languages, with smaller vocabularies and simpler grammar. The Irish Gaelic (蓋爾語) proudly spoken by today’s English-Gaelic bilinguals is an example, something that one might call a “New Gaelic.”

Linguists have no single term yet for these new speech varieties, 【7】 from Germany’s “Kiezdeutsch” to Singapore’s “Singlish,” the world is witnessing the birth of more optimized versions of old languages. This simplification should not be taken as a sign of decline. All of the “optimized” languages remain full languages in every sense of the term.

We 【8】 regret the eclipse of a world where 6,000 different languages 【9】 (speak), but fortunately, it seems a decent amount of linguistic diversity will be preserved. Besides, 【10】 languages become easier to pick up, the future may promise even more mutual comprehension.

Think of Spider-Man, Iron Man and Ant-Man. Think of Black Panther, the Mighty Thor and the X-Men. Think of the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four and all the other superheroes that have stimulated the popular imagination. 【1】. From a small office in Manhattan in the 1960s, he helped create a lineup of fictional heroes that have crossed from page to screen in a series of TV and movie adaptations and changed the face of popular culture.

For many, he was the face of Marvel, if not comic books in general, witnessing the company's rise to become an international media giant. As a writer, editor, publisher and Hollywood executive, he played a critical role in what comic fans call one of the medium's golden ages.

【2】. Lee gave the heroes flaws and insecurities, as well as an awareness of trends, social causes and a sense of humor, trying to 'make them real flesh-and-blood characters with personality, ' he told The Washington Post in 1992. 'That's what any story should have, but comics didn't have it until that point. They were all cardboard figures. '

【3】. Iron Man, for example, could join forces with the Fantastic Four, and Captain America could find himself a wedding guest alongside Doctor Strange. Lee created a fictional universe for readers to explore — one that made readers buy multiple series to get the whole story.

'I used to think what I did was not very important, ' Lee told the Chicago Tribune in 2014. 'People are building bridges and participating in medical research, and here I was working on stories about fictional people who do crazy things and wear costumes. But I suppose I have come to realize that entertainment is not easily dismissed. '

Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created, said Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger. Indeed, Lee worked tirelessly his whole life creating great characters for the world to enjoy. 【4】. His legacy will outlive us all.

A.He inspired our imagination and hoped we could use it to make the world a better place.

B.If all these entertainment products can be traced to one person, it would be Stan Lee, who died last November at the age of 95.

C.Lee also appeared in a number of Marvel movies, watering his lawn, delivering the mail, and so on.

D.In order to keep multiple stories going at the same time, Lee wove them together into a seamless(無縫的) fictional world.

E.Under Lee, Marvel transformed the comic book world by humanizing its characters.

F.Through the honesty of guys like Spider-Man, we learn about different aspects of human nature.

假如你們學(xué)校近期將開設(shè)“學(xué)生理財(cái)入門”(Money Management ABC) 選修課，你會參加嗎？請做出選擇并簡要說說你的理由。

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The Benefits of Being Bilingual

At one time being bilingual was thought to slow down brain development, although it is now known to have many benefits. Aside from professional and social benefits, studies show that the process of learning a second language actually strengthens some areas of the brain.

To start off with, a study done at the University of British Columbia shows that babies exposed to two languages before birth don’t confuse the languages. Moreover, it showed that the effort it takes to keep the languages separate improves perception.

The benefits aren’t only for people who grow up bilingual, however. Anyone who learns a second language during their lifetime will have certain advantages. For one, Swedish scientists found that the brain grows during language learning, particularly the area where memories are created.

Not only does the brain grow, but language learners also improve in many areas. They are good at multitasking while paying detailed attention to each task. Additionally they strengthen their math skills, listening skills, ability to focus, problem-solving skills, reading and vocabulary in their native language, and their memory increases. In the area of math, a study done at the University of Washington shows that bilinguals solve new math problems half a second faster than monolinguals.

Language learning also has huge benefits for old age. Brian Gold of the University of Kentucky did a study comparing the ability of bilingual seniors and monolingual seniors to do an attention-switching task. Usually this skill fails with age. However the bilingual seniors performed better than the monolinguals, and their brains worked less hard and more efficiently.

Neuroscientists (神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)科學(xué)家) think that having more brainpower at an older age helps protect us from Alzheimer’s. Current medication for Alzheimer’s only delays it for 6-12 months, while learning a new language delays it for 4-5 years. Again, this is not only for people who learn a second language from birth. Even if you don’t learn another language until after middle age it helps. Language learning keeps your brain active and “fit”.

A professor of public health at UCLA says that pet ownership might provide a new form of health care. As far back as the 1790s, the elderly at a senior citizens’ home in England 【1】(encourage) to spend time with farm animals. This helped patients’ mental state more than the cruel therapies 【2】 (use) on the mentally ill at the time. In recent years, scientist have finally begun to find proof 【3】 contact with animals can increase a sick person’s chance of survival and has been shown 【4】 (lower) heart rate, calm upset children, and get people to start a conversation.

Scientists think that animal companionship is beneficial 【5】 animals are accepting and attentive, and they don’t criticize or give orders. Animals have the unique ability to be more social. For example, visitors to nursing homes get more social responses from patients when they come with animal companions.

Not only do people seem 【6】(anxious) when animals are nearby, but they may also live longer. Studies show that a year after heart surgery, survival rates for heart patients were higher for those with pets in their homes than those without pets. Elderly people with pets make fewer trips 【7】 doctors than those without animal companions, possibly because animals relieve loneliness. Staying with animals is believed to create a peaceful state of mind, 【8】(result) in a favourable environment for everyone.

Research confirms that the findings concerning senior citizens can be applied to restless children. They are more easy-going when there are animals around with, with 【9】 company they tend to calm down more easily. They involve 【10】 in playing with animals and the presence of animals comforts them greatly.

Where Technology Shapes Tomorrow

Marketing @Ramco.comewww.Ramco.com

TO: Rachel Mohler, Vice President

Harrison Fontentot, Public Relations

FROM: Mike Gonzalez

SUBJECT: Three Ways to Increase Ramco’s Community Involvement

DATE: March 5, 2019

At our planning session in early February, our division managers stressed the need to generate favourable publicity for our new Ramco facility in Mayfield. Knowing that such publicity will highlight Ramco’s visibility in Mayfield, I think the company’s image might be enhanced in the following three ways.

CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Ramco would receive favourable publicity by creating a scholarship at Mayfield Community College for any student interested in a career in technology. A one-year scholarship would cost $6,800. The scholarship could be awarded by a committee composed of Ramco executives. Such a scholarship would emphasize Ramco’s enthusiastic support for the latest technical education at a local college.

OFFER SITE TOURS

Guided tours of the Mayfield facility would introduce the community to Ramco’s innovative technology. These tours might be organized for academic, community, and civic groups. Individuals would see the care we take in protecting the environment in our production and equipment choices and the speed with which we ship our products. Of special interest to visitors would be Ramco’s use of industrial robots working alongside our employees. Since these tours would be scheduled in advance, they should not conflict with our production schedules.

PROVIDE GUEST SPEAKERS

Many of our employees would be excellent guest speakers at civic and educational meetings in the Mayfield area. Possible topics include the advances Ramco has made in designing and engineering and how these advances have helped consumers and the local economy.

Thanks for giving me your comments as soon as possible. If we are going to put one or more of these suggestions into practice before the facility opens in mid-April, we’ll need to act before the end of the month.

【1】If Ramco establishes a scholarship, it will _____.

A.benefit students at colleges in Mayfield

B.highlight Ramco’s support for the latest technical advances

C.be offered to MCC students interested in a career in technology

D.be jointly awarded by Ramco executives and college professors

【2】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.Site tours of Mayfield facility can be arranged at any time.

B.The three measures are scheduled to be carried out in mid-April.

C.The three measures are sure to create favourable image for Mayfield.

D.Guest speakers will talk about Ramco’s advances in designing and engineering.

【3】What type of writing is this passage?

A.A letter of introduction.B.A letter of proposal.

C.A letter of recommendation.D.A letter of complaints.

1.表示祝賀；

2.推薦一項(xiàng)中華才藝展示內(nèi)容及理由；

注意：詞數(shù)不少于50；

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Each of us has a time of the day when we’re at our best. For some, it’s the morning, and for others, the afternoon or evening. These times relate to what scientists call our circadian clock (生物鐘). 【1】

The research is the work of two authors, Aaron Schirmer and Benjamin Smarr. The pair used data from a university computer system to study the rhythms and activities of 15,000 students at Northeastern Illinois University between 2014 and 2016. They studied the data to see if there was a connection between the students’ schedules, their natural circadian clocks and their school performance.

【2】 But if students’ clock doesn’t agree with the rest of their lives, their performance was likely to suffer.

According to the study, those students who suffered from a mismatch underwent a kind of “social jet lag（時差）”. For example, some students performed best at night and therefore chose to study in the evening. But if those students had an early morning class, they often felt tired from late night studying and didn’t get the most out of the class. They might then go on to get a lower grade for exams and coursework. 【3】

The authors say mismatches between a student’s schedule and circadian clock can have a harmful effect, and not just in terms of academic performance. Social jet lag can also be bad for students’ health.

The authors don’t claim their study proves anything, but they do say that it provides food for thought for school administrators, who might like to think about special ways to help students who suffer on account of their schedules. 【4】

A.In addition, the findings alerted parents to their children’s sleeping patterns.

B.The study found that the closer a student’s schedule and their circadian clock, the better their grades were.

C.All students in the study suffered some degree of social jet lag, but late-night studiers suffered the most.

D.The clock genes create circadian rhythms in the body, which help control the timing of a variety of biological changes.

E.The findings could also help everyone to be aware, and hopefully take advantage, of their own biological rhythms to lead a healthy life.

F.Now, a new study suggests that the relationship between students’ circadian clocks and their study schedules can have a big effect on their grades.

1、表示熱烈歡迎；

2、簡要介紹學(xué)校；

3、學(xué)習(xí)課程及實(shí)踐活動安排：了解中國文化，組織包餃子比賽等。

注意：1、詞數(shù)100左右；

2、可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié)，以使行文連貫。

Dear fellow students,

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Antarctica is slowly starting to turn warm. According to the Guardian, the Antarctic 【1】 (register ) a new high temperature for the first time on record, 【2】 (fuel) fears of climate instability in the world’s iciest place.

On Feb. 9. 2020, Brazilian researchers at Seymour Island reported a temperature of 20. 75℃ on the 【3】 (ice) continent of Antarctica. It was almost 【4】 full degree higher than the previous record of 19.8℃, 【5】 (take) on Signy Island in January 1982.

These higher temperatures can cause ice glaciers (冰川) in Antarctic regions to melt. The glaciers in Discovery Bay, 【6】 the snow melted in little more than a week, have retreaded by more than 100 meters, leaving dark exposed rock. This melted ice leads 【7】 a rise in sea levels that can threaten the 【8】 (safe) of coastal areas. It is believed to be behind an alarming decline of more than 50 percent in chinstrap penguin colonies, which are dependent on sea ice.

As the American writer Ernest Hemingway put 【9】, “The Earth is beautiful and worth fighting for.” We should do everything we can to protect our planet. Otherwise, the Earth may 【10】 (trap) in the heat we can’t save.