A
Somebody is calling for help in the water. You want to jump in and save them but that
might put you in danger. What do you do?
Soon this won't be your problem anymore because a robot swimmer called Swumanoid will be produced soon.
Scientists from Japan created this robot to swim like an Olympic athlete. They mapped the swimmer's body and how every part moves, so the robot could swim exactly as a human does.
Swumanoid can swim the backstroke(仰泳）and the front crawl(自由泳）at a speed of
0.64 meters a second, which is a third of the human world record, according to the Daily Mail.
Motomu Nakashima, the leader of the study, hopes that robots like Swumanoid can act as life savers in the future, helping those in trouble.
Besides saving lives, Swumanoid can also be used in swimming research. It can test water resistance(阻力）and work out how people swim. It can help scientists find ways to improve a swimmer's skills.
Unlike human swimmers, robots don't get tired from doing the same stroke(冰姿）again and again, so they do not slow down. Thus, they can collect information more correctly.
But the robot is not yet ready to take the place of life savers by the pool. Science say there are still certain things that need to be improved, such as the motors and the waterproofing(防水的) design.
Why can Swumanoid swim exactly as a human does?
How can Swumanoid help collect information for swimming research?
How many uses of the robot swimmers are mentioned in the passage?
What's the writer's purpose of writing this passage?
B
Have you ever noticed that the more you have, the more you want? Let's face it. Thinking our life is good enough doesn't come naturally to many people. When we have high expectations of everything in life we will run into disappointment. Only when we are aware that needs are different from desires can we live with satisfaction. Here are a few ideas to help you be happier with what you have and who you are.
Focus on what you are thankful for. Most people want things to be better than they are, or when things are going well, we forget to appreciate what we have. Learn to reflect on how much better things are than they could be. Focus on what you are thankful for. Write down 5 things you are grateful for right now.
When we hold onto regrets from decisions we have made, it can really poison our well-being. Many people regret something they can no longer change， which ends up holding them back from moving forward in a more positive manner. What happened in the past is done and gone，so work to stay present and be mindful of the current moment to find more joy and fulfillment.
When we use other people as the measuring stick for our personal success and quality of life we are likely to be less satisfied. Social comparisons can provide useful information when we try to learn from others, but they also hold our perspective in a discontented position. Compare yourself less with others so you can be satisfied more.
When you are focused on your big ambitions and future goals you might elide the daily pleasures that surround you. Learn to slow down and absorb the wonder and beauty around you. Stay present and focus on the task you're undertaking at the moment. Don't let the life pass you by because you're always on the go and distracted by ambition.
Practice looking at life through the lens of contentment and it will become more natural.
How can we live with contentment?
What's the main idea of Paragraph 3?
The underlined word“elide”（in Paragraph 5 ) probably means“ ”.
What should you do to put yourself in a good mood?
三、翻译
1. No one would expect a trivial thing could cause such a great disturbance.
2. Considering the economic depression, we cannot predict the future with assurance.
3. Both of his parents have to work and they can’t squeeze time to take care of him.
4. 上个月那场车祸使她遭受了致命的打击。
5. 这项任务是经过全班同学的巨大努力才完成的。