Critics' choice: The year's best novels…
⒈The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper, $29)
The novel from a celebrated poet, this 800-page work is many things at once: a moving coming-of-age story, an examination of race, and an exploration of American history. Out of curiosity about the secrets in her family, Ailey uncovers stories that trace back to her Native American, Scottish, and enslaved African-American ancestors.
⒉Matrix by Lauren Groff (Knopf, $28)
If Matrix were written by anyone else, it would be a hard sell. But Lauren Groff has reimagined the life of 12th-century poet Marie de France so that we can't help but stay with this royal castoff as she's sent away, at 17, to run a poor church, which she eventually changes into a shelter for women and a challenge to the male-dominated world.
⒊Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Knopf $28)
A robot that has been programmed to be a sickly teenager's "Artificial Friend, " Klara serves as our eyes on a troubling near future in which technological progress is pushing moral boundaries. But her outsider view allows the author of Remains of the Day, now a Nobel Prize winner, to explore what makes people irreplaceable.
⒋Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (Scribner, $30)
Doerr's first novel since 2014 covers several hundred years — from 1453 Constantinople to a 22nd-century spaceship escaping from Earth. The book runs 640 pages, but without a wasted word. As engaging as a great bedtime story and as readable as Harry Potter, it's above all a celebration of the human spirit and its power to dream impossible dreams.
The world of underwater slumber is unlike what we see on the surface. For mammals (哺乳动物), a good night's sleep sends an animal into a state of unconsciousness (无知觉) during hours of restorative sleeping that helps heal the body and solidify memories firmly in the mind. For fish, however, sleep isn't such a well-defined process. Instead, many fish species have taken to spending short periods in a state of reduced activity or rest while keeping their eyes open to scan the water for potential threats. During these periods of reduced activity, a fish's bodily functions slow down and its watchfulness drops.
The breadth of animals in the ocean that exhibit this type of reduced activity is widereaching. Among the hundreds of thousands of creatures in the sea, some merely ride along with the current, such as jellyfish. Others find rocky bedrooms for the night, while those such as stingrays bury themselves in the sand to rest. However, it must be really hard to get a good night's sleep when you breathe air but live in water. This is something that the world's underwater mammals have to deal with.
To prevent themselves from drowning (溺死) in their sleep, underwater mammals such as dolphins and manatees have developed the ability to "turn off" one side of their brain to rest, known as unihemispheric sleep. While one side is fast asleep, the other keeps all the animal's vital functions running, such as breathing. Manatees, for example, love to sleep, spending up to 12 hours a day in a deep slumber. However, as air-breathing animals, manatees need to surface every 20 minutes or so for oxygen. To achieve this, the half of the brain that's still awake sends the sleeping manatee to the surface to get some air.
Professor Lum seems to be under the spell of ChatGPT, but let's not get carried away with the AI chatbot craze. While it does have some benefits, his arguments are like a leaky boat in a stormy sea- full of holes.
According to Professor Lum, ChatGPT offers students a wealth of information. Sure, it's like having a walking encyclopedia (百科全书), but learning is not about copying an answer. It's about the journey of discovery. ChatGPT, armed with its vast database, denies students the opportunity to explore and learn through their own efforts. It's like awarding a participation medal for a race that hasn't even begun!
He also claims that ChatGPT improves communication skills. Seriously? Chatting with an AI is not the same as having a real conversation. How can we expect students to handle the complexities of the real world if all they know is how to talk to a chatbot? Let's not turn them into socially awkward bots themselves.
Oh, and let's not forget about critical thinking. Professor Lum thinks ChatGPT challenges students to think critically. But come on, folks! It's merely a machine! It's not going to teach them how to question assumptions, analyze evidence, or come up with innovative solutions. We need human interaction and lively debates for that.
Lastly, Professor Lum believes ChatGPT can provide support and guidance. Again, seriously? Are we going to replace human emotions with lines of code (代码)？ ChatGPT might offer some comforting words, but it can't replace the warmth and understanding that can only be found in human interaction. Let us not abandon our students, leaving them to feel more alone and disconnected than ever before.
Professor Lum's opinion regarding ChatGPT warns us against too much reliance on technology. Rather than prioritizing ChatGPT, the focus should be on developing critical thinking, promoting genuine human interaction, and emphasizing the core aspects of education.
If there was an app on your phone that claimed to improve your memory, would you be willing to try it? It's hard to resist the idea of having a better memory. After all, our memories are delicate and can be affected by various factors such as diseases, injuries, mental health conditions, and aging.
In response to this perceived need, the brain training industry has grown rapidly, offering a wide range of accessible and affordable mental exercises through smartphone and tablet apps. Many researchers have found evidence suggesting that well-designed exercises can improve mental abilities and even lead to better scores on IQ tests. They compare the brain to muscles, suggesting that targeted repetition of memory exercises can strengthen and condition our memory processes, similar to how athletes engage in strength and conditioning by repeatedly exercising specific muscle groups.
In contrast to everyday activities like reading a detailed article or solving a complex puzzle, memory training apps are specifically designed to provide a more challenging workout for the brain. These apps typically involve tasks that require tracking a large number of objects while being distracted by a secondary task, such as mental calculations or exploring a game's landscape. If this brain training proves effective, it could be beneficial for individuals with brain-related disabilities or those recovering from conditions like cancer.
Critics, though, argue that while the concept is appealing, the overall evidence fails to demonstrate significant improvement in core brain processes. Additionally, despite the claims made by many apps and brain training companies, scientists have yet to identify the key factors that make an intervention truly effective or determine the best approaches to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help.
While the question is still open to debate, there is evidence suggesting that short-term working memory training can benefit high-functioning individuals, such as college students. However, it's important to note that brain training, like diet and exercise, is unlikely to have identical effects on every individual.
The senior year of high school can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you start the journey towards college and adulthood. , but it can also be stressful. However, with the right stress management strategies, you can negotiate this important year with confidence and success.
. Create a detailed timeline for exams and other important learning tasks. Break down these tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and tackle them one at a time. By having a clear roadmap in place, you can avoid the feared last-minute panic and stay on top of your studies.
Moreover, take care of your physical and mental well-being. . Engage in activities you enjoy, whether it's playing a musical instrument or simply spending time with friends. Taking care of yourself will help you stay focused, energized, and ready to tackle any challenges that come your way.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. Reach out for support whenever you need it. Whether it's seeking guidance from teachers or leaning on your classmates for emotional support, don't hesitate to ask for help. .
Finally, maintain a positive mindset throughout the year. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who believe in you and your abilities. . Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the process and use them as opportunities to learn and grow.
The senior year of high school can be a mix of emotions, but by adopting these strategies, you can make the most of it and set yourself up for success as you venture into the next chapter of your life.
A. Always stick to the main road
B. To start with, it's crucial to plan ahead
C. You may find them disappointing sometimes
D. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small
E. It's an exciting time filled with dreams and possibilities
F. They can lend a listening ear and provide invaluable advice
G. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly
From the age of eight, I attended a little boarding school on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border. On Sunday afternoons, the 1 would leave us to wander the edge of the grounds where we were supposed to 2 time chatting or playing sports but my 3 was to climb over the fences and disappear into the landscape. Often, much to the teachers' annoyance, no one knew where to 4 me.
That was the point. To walk to a(n) 5 place and, for a moment, feel the world as something new brought with it a feeling I would desire. The habit 6 with me. By my mid-20s, I was a 7 walker. Walking became a way of life that, 8 , gave shape to a wandering decade and I would ease myself into new 9 the world over by setting out on foot to get 10 and then find myself again in the backstreets of Ahmedabad or Isfhanan, Ramallah or Bari.
Now I have established my home in the landscape of Devon. Here, walking 11 me and my dog Dharma as an essential daily practice. The world outside our front door is an 12 the tiring, routine aspects of our lives. It's a place where we watch the seasons change and 13 the movement of the sun and the light around the moon. We walk the same 14 , day after day, but every minute of every hour can feel like 15 .
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated nationwide (remember) Qu Yuan, one of the greatest poets of ancient China and the (early) known by name. When Qu Yuan jumped into a river out of love for his country in 278 BC, people (desperate) rowed out in boats to search for him. This inspired the Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place each year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, day when Qu Yuan died. Festivities vary in different parts of China, they share several traditions, dragon boat racing included. Rowers sit in large dragon-shaped boats and row them the beat of a drum (鼓), which is usually played by someone (seat) at the front of the boat. Another feature of the celebrations is a popular snack called zongzi or (stick) rice dumplings. It is believed that zongzi, which represent good luck, (throw) into the river to stop fish eating Qu Yuan's body. In some parts of China, mugwort (艾草) leaves can be seen (hang) on doors or windows during the Dragon Boat Festival to discourage insects from entering the house.
Alex sat quietly at the back of his Chinese class, his eyes fixed on the textbook before him. As a shy and unnoticed student, he felt like a lone wolf, struggling against the complexities of high school life. Ms Lau, his Chinese teacher, was a light in his otherwise dark world. Her warm smile and gentle behavior made her stand out among the sea of teachers. She was the only one who seemed to understand his conservative nature, always encouraging him to step out of his comfort zone.
One day, after class, Ms Lau approached Alex with excitement shining in her eyes. "Alex, I have an offer for you, " she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I am organizing a cultural exchange program to China, and I believe it would be a great opportunity for you to explore a new world. "
Alex's heart skipped a beat, the prospect of traveling to a foreign country both exciting and terrifying. He hesitated, unsure if he had the courage to start such an adventure. But Ms Lau's firm belief in him gave him the push he needed to take a leap of faith.
Under Ms Lau's guidance, Alex began preparing for the trip. He got really interested in Chinese culture and learned about its long history and traditions. Ms Lau became his mentor(导师), teaching him not only the language but also invaluable life lessons. She taught him the importance of being confident and not giving up, reminding him that growth only happens outside one's comfort zone.
The day of departure arrived, and Alex found himself on a plane headed for China. He couldn't help but feel amazed as he stepped off the plane and into a world so different from his own. The busy streets, bright colors, and unfamiliar sounds flooded his senses. Yet, Ms Lau's comforting presence by his side provided him with the strength to face the unknown.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150词左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
During their time in China, Alex wholeheartedly enjoyed the experience.
Back in the United States, Alex was a changed person.
