In search of something good to read? We've got this week's hottest new book releases.
Time and Time Again by Ben Elton(Thomas Dunne, fiction)
In this time-traveling adventure which begins in 1914, ex-soldier Hugh Stanton goes attempts to prevent World War I. A fun, smart, adventurous book, a work of science-fiction as big on ideas as action.
●$30 at Amazon and $28 at Bookshop. org
A Gift From Bob by James Bowen(Thomas Dunne,non-fiction)
London street musician James Bowen tells the story of how his cat Bob helped him overcome bad child-hood memories of Christmas. Bowen and the real Bob are acting in the 2016 film version of Bowen's best seller A Street Cat Named Bob, which stars Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey fame.
●$25 at Amazon and $25 at Bookshop. org
I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore(Knopf, fiction)
Moore's first novel since "A Gate at the Stairs" is a meditation on mortality and letting go, in which a man returns home to the Midwest after his ex dies by suicide to find her seemingly alive.
●$24 at Amazon and $25 at Bookshop. Org
The Only One Left by Riley Sager(Dutton, fiction)
Suspense master Sager("The House Across the Lake,""Survive the Night")returns with a thriller about a home health carer assigned to care for 70-something Lenora, mute and in a wheelchair after a series of strokes. She's the same Lenora accused of killing her family decades earlier, and it's clear there's more to the tale than people know.
●$19 at Amazon and $26 at Bookshop. org
Bats don't often get the credit they deserve for the important role they play in their native ecosystems,where they serve to kill pests(害虫)and pollinate(授粉)crops. The lesser long-nosed bat is one of just three bat species in North America that are responsible for pollinating local plants across the continent. And it's not just the plants that benefit: Bat pollination may save a particular species, the blue agave(龙舌兰)plants,thanks in part to the work of Rodrigo Medellin.
Rodrigo Medellin, known as the "Bat Man of Mexico", is a professor of ecology and conservation at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He says he was already determined to be a bat biologist when he held a bat for the first time at just 13 years old. "My sense of awe and admiration and curiosity was then fully sealed for life,"he says. "I felt I was facing the most amazingly interesting and misunderstood organisms on Earth. "Medellin began studying the lesser long-nosed bat over three decades ago, before the animal was listed as a threatened species in 1994.
Since then, he's been influential in educating farmers about the importance of bats and role in agave pollination, convincing many to set aside part of their land to allow the plants there to flower and be pollinated. Previously, farmers seeking to boost the agave's sugar content would cut off the flowers before they could be pollinated. In fields where farmers have allowed plants to flower, however,"they're full of food and bats are visiting," says Medellin. "This is the way things were done six generations ago. "
"Every day of our lives is touched by one or more ecosystem service that bats provide, from your cotton shirt to your coffee to your rice to your drink…" says Medellin. "Inside I continue to be that 13-year-old child every time I see a bat!"
I saw the Pixar film Elemental this week. It's a story about Element City, where fire people, water people, cloud/air people and earth people all live together, sometimes uncomfortably. You have to admire the inventive way it creates its world of flames and bubbles and flowers and white clouds, and the way all those things make up the characters it's about. On top of that, those characters live in a world of smoke, rivers, and all kinds of other earthly delights.
The screening I attended was in 3D. While it works pretty well these days, I take it more a gimmick than a genuine edge. The glasses are delicate and just become more plastic junk. As is often the case, it gets distracting, and it introduces more opportunities for technical problems. And for a while, I felt like my side was winning the argument — you don't see as many random "but this time it's 3D!" sequels(续集)as you did for a while, what with Saw 3D and Piranha 3D and Step Up 3D and so forth.
If you've ever picked up a pair of the Real D glasses that you use for a film like this, you can see it —they are literally dark glasses, and as sunglasses would do, they make the picture look darker. That is the very problem. It's impossible for me to believe I even saw the best version of Elemental. I feel certain that my appreciation of its colorful take on the world would have been, what, 30% greater, if I had just watched it in a regular 2D presentation.
Honestly, maybe this is tech that belongs in cheap horror sequels, where it can be used for jump scares and tricks in a style that relies on them, rather than in films that are designed to be visually joyful. Besides,who wants to try to make a restless kid wear plastic glasses for two hours?
The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth's surface, yet around 80% of the ocean remains unexplored. To put it simply, we know very little about most of the ocean. A vital part of exploring the seafloor is mapping the density of the ocean crust(洋壳). Sea floor maps increase the scope, efficiency, and pace of deep-sea exploration, keeping scientists and boats from "flying blind. "
But it requires a significant wave source. The most common method for determining crustal structure is also controversial — firing seismic air guns(地震气枪)from ships. While this method is effective, it is potentially harmful to marine life and not easy to use. Now scientists are using animal vocalizations, the echoes of fin whale songs in particular, to learn more about the deep sea.
Fin whales are the second largest species of whales on the planet, second only to the blue whale. Found in the offshore waters of every major ocean, these endangered animals can reach a lifespan of about 90 years. The song of the fin whale is one of the loudest in the animal kingdom, and is detectable over great distances. It is so powerful that it can go through volcanic rock and sediment(沉淀物)on the ocean floor. Ocean-bottom seismometers off the coast of Oregon picked up on the seismic waves of these fin whale calls. Researchers Kuna and John Nabelek, from Oregon State University, analyzed six whale songs. Using these signals, the team was able to map the thickness of sediment and rock on the ocean floor.
While fin whale songs are never going to replace seismic air guns entirely, they do provide a free and natural alternative for scientists looking to explore the ocean floor. "Our study demonstrates that animal vocalizations are useful not only for studying the animals themselves but also for investigating the environment that they inhabit. "
Admittedly, in life, you often need to develop your self-motivation, as it can drive you towards your goals.
Set a goal. Without having a dream, you cannot achieve anything. But first of all, you have to know about yourself, such as your personality and your learning/working style. However, the goal must be difficult but not impossible. That means that you can achieve it with enough determination.
Start small. It is observed that most people have their plans ready, but they find it extremely difficult to make a start, so start with a small step. Do not be afraid of making mistakes because the more you fear, the more likely you are to make one. Remember that failure is followed by success.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration(汗水). Remember there is no choice except hard work to reach your goals. Once you have planned your goals, try to move closer to them by working towards them every day.
Reward yourself. Rewarding yourself for every small success is very necessary. Rewards can help you refresh your mind and get you body relaxed towards success.
Keep optimistic. It is also important in developing your motivation. Be aware of the fact that difficulties are bound to arise on your way to success. Mix with people who have similar goals and surround yourself with positive people.
To sum up, self-motivation is one of the most important qualities that a person can have, as it can lead you to success. And knowing how to stay motivated in life can help you keep focusing on the work in hand and achieve success in life.
A. Work hard.
B. Learn more.
C. Once you begin, it is easier to continue.
D. Then you can start working towards making a goal.
E. Never let negative thoughts or people influence you.
F. Thankfully,there are some tips that will help you stay motivated in life.
G. However, self-motivation holds the key to your future career and success.
Driving in the mountains of my home can be risky in the summertime. The potholes in the roads make fora 1 ride. The low hanging trees with leaves limit your 2 . And you always have to 3 animals crossing the road.
The other day, as I was driving along, I saw a baby deer lying 4 along the roadside. I guessed it had intended to 5 from the river along the highway. I saw another deer 6 lifeless a few miles down. It was so 7 seeing them like that. I slowed down 8 more deer were coming down. As I rounded another sharp turning, I felt a 9 inside my mind:"Slow down!" Two adult deer appeared from nowhere! I 10 on the brakes until I came to a complete 11 . And just as I did, two baby deer jumped from the woods 12 their mothers. I watched them pass and held back tears of 13 that I hadn't hit and killed those babies.
So many times I have felt a whispered 14 in my heart to do something good, to say something kind,or even to step on the 15 . May you always listen to the whispers in your own life. They will always lead you to higher love and lead you Home!
Paper lanterns, (emerge)from Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), were mainly used as lamps in ancient China. (variety)of techniques(mostly Chinese paintings and paper-cutting) and many different materials, such as bamboo, wood and metal, were used in their making. Originally, monks(僧人)used lanterns the twelfth day of the first lunar month in their worship(崇拜)of the Buddha. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu Zhuang, ordered the citizens (light)lanterns to worship the Buddha just as the monks did. Later, this custom (gradual)became a grand festival among common people. During the Tang Dynasty(618-907), people made lanterns to celebrate their peaceful life the splendid creations symbolized and celebrated the prosperous, strong and powerful country. From then on, lighting lanterns became popular in the country.
Once used for lighting before the (introduce)of gas and then electricity, lanterns are now merely decorative or more significantly used during of the yearly Lantern Festival. More modern technology
(employ)on making lanterns, so people can see lanterns with music or with colorful bulbs inside. The shapes of the modern lanterns, often cartoon characters and Chinese zodiac animals, . (change)a lot too. Sometimes the makers can even involve the computer games, give visitors a different new and fresh impression.
The other day, I felt upset for no reason. It seemed to me that the world was intent on dragging me down. With nothing to do, I went to the park to refresh myself at evening. I did nothing over there except enjoy other activities, especially kids. Their gaming, screaming and talking had a different style that attracted my mind. The park bench was deserted as I sat down and leaned back stretching my legs crossed beneath the longs waying branches of an old willow tree.
My eyes fell upon a pair of cute children. Perhaps, they used to come regularly but I didn't notice them before. They seemed to be siblings(兄弟姐妹). Hardly five-six years old, I guessed. I watched them more as they involved themselves with their usual fun game: hide and seek. Their contrasting bright-colored dress put a barrier to hide and easily one of them was caught by the other. I enjoyed their game without being a partici-pant.
While playing, the little girl came running towards me to hide behind the bench. The moment I turned to look at her, she gestured,"Shh!"I then sat straight helping her to hide. Acted as if I didn't know — any-thing.
After finishing his countdown, the boy searched her here and there. At last, he spotted her behind me and screamed,"Grace, come out. I saw you. "
Grumbling(嘟囔)loudly, she shouted:"No Steve, you cheated. Again you have to find me. This is not done. Go-go back behind the tree and start counting again. "The boy whirled round and round, clapping his hands and saying"No, no. I did it. You are caught. "They both started pulling each other. I enjoyed their game fully. Suddenly I noticed Grace pull her brother towards the fence.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
A stray(走失的)little dog was breathing heavily with pain.
"Grace, leave it here and it's high time that we went home,"Steve urged.
