A rapidly advancing contemporary science that is highly dependent on new tools is Earth system science. Earth system science involves observation and measurements on the Earth at all scales from the largest to the smallest. The huge amounts of data that are gathered come from many different locations and require special techniques for handling data. Important new tools that facilitate Earth system science include satellite remote sensing, small deep-sea submarines, and geographic information systems. More than any other way of gathering evidence, satellite observations continually remind us that each part of the Earth interacts with and is dependent on all other parts. Earth system science was born from the realization of that interdependence. Satellite remote sensing makes possible observations at large scales, and in many cases, measurements of factors that could not otherwise be measured. For example, the ozone hole over Antarctica--the decrease in the concentration of ozone high in the atmosphere--is measured by remote sensing, as are changes in deserts, forests, and farmlands around the world. Such measurements can be used in many areas of specialization besides Earth system science. Archaeology, for example, has benefited from satellite observations that reveal the traces of ancient trade routes across the Arabian Desert. New tools for exploring previously inaccessible areas of the Earth have also added greatly to our knowledge of the Earth system. Small deep-sea submarines allow scientists to travel to the depths of the ocean. There they have discovered new species and ecosystems thriving near deep-sea vents that emit heat, sasses, and mineral-rich water. Just as important as new methods of measurement and exploration are new ways to store and analyze data about the Earth system. Computer-based software programs known as geographic information systems, or GIS, allow a large number of data points to be stored along with their locations. These can be used to produce maps and to compare different sets of... What is the main idea of the passage? A) special techniques are needed to classify the huge amounts of data about Earth. B) New tools provide information about Earth that was once impossible to obtain. C) Advances in Earth system science have resolved many environmental problems. D) Satellite remote sensing can show changes between two images taken years apart.
B
A cell phone in a vehicle can be a life-saving communication tool in case of emergency. However, actually using a cell phone while driving can be life-threatening. Studies have shown that new drivers are especially prone to have an accident when they use a cell phone while driving. The reason for this is that new drivers have less experience in concentrating on driving during distractions . Also, several studies done on teen drivers found that many teens often send text messages while driving. Since text messaging involves both the hands and the eyes, this is thought to be more distracting and dangerous than when drivers use a cell phone only for speaking and listening while driving. All drivers who use a cell phone while driving are reported to be at least four times more likely to have an accident than drivers who don't use a cell phone while driving. Such studies have inspired many countries, including the United States, to have at least some bans on hand-held cell phone use while driving. However, many people feel that these restrictions are far from enough. Hand-free cell phones were still found in many studies to distract the drivers' attention even though the drivers had both hands on the wheel . In some studies, drivers themselves admitted that they sometimes become distracted when they use any type of the cell phones while driving. Some studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving is actually just as dangerous as driving drunk! Both cases can impair the drivers' concentration as well as their reaction time to other vehicles or problems on the road. If a cell phone is used in crawling traffic such as a traffic jam, it is not as likely to cause danger as when a driver uses a cell phone at even moderate speeds on twisting and turning roads. What can we conclude from this passage? A) We should use our cell phones wisely. B) We should use hand-free cell phones rather than hand-held ones. C) We should turn our cell phones off while driving. D) We should make some laws to forbid teens to use cell phones.
A
Q: Thank you for agreeing to be a Test Administrator for PISA. The purpose of this manual is to help you to understand how you will assist with the successful implementation of this large-scale student survey. 1.1. What is PISA? PISA stands for the Programme for International Student Assessment, sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). PISA 2015 is the sixth PISA study that has been conducted since 2000 and involves more than 70 participating countries. PISA has the following characteristics: * It is the world's largest international survey in education. * It surveys students aged about 15 years. * It assesses students' preparedness for adult life. Undertaking PISA is important because the results of the test can be used: * to indicate how well prepared students in a country/economy are for learning once they leave school; * to identify areas for improvement over time by schools, education systems, and governments; and * to allow a comparison of student performance and the learning environment between different countries. 1.2. Components of PISA 2015 * 1.2.1. Cognitive test 42 students from each school will be randomly sampled to complete a 2-hour computer-based test consisting of questions in science, mathematics, reading, and Collaborative Problem Solving. * 1.2.2. Questionnaires These students will also be asked to complete a 30 minutes Student Questionnaire on the computer either directly after the test sections or at a later time. * 1.2.3. Financial Literacy assessment After the cognitive test and questionnaires, a sub-sample of 10-11 students will take a computer-based Financial Literacy(FL) assessment. The 65-minute Financial Literacy assessment tests students' knowledge of personal finances and their ability to apply it to their financial problems. What can we know about PISA from the passage? A) There will be over seventy countries participating in the seventh PISA in 2018. B) Top PISA scorers are more likely to succeed in their adult life than lower score owners. C) PISA will compare students' personal performance based on their learning environment. D) The FL assessment is specially intended for students who are suffering financial problems.
A: B
More and more birds are flying to settle at Qinghai Lake, one of the highest inland lakes in China, thanks to the protection efforts of local governments. Covering an area of over 4,000 square kilometers, Qinghai Lake is also the country's biggest salt-water lake. Located in Northwest China's Qinghai Province, the lake is famous for the two islands at its northwest point--Cormorant Island and Egg Island. The two islands have plenty of floating grass and various schools of fish, offering rich food sources for birds. The islands have become a paradise for different kinds of groups of birds and have been called 'Bird Islands'. Each March and April, when ice and snow covering the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau starts to melt, over 20 kinds of birds fly to the Bird Islands to lay eggs. During the months, flocks of birds cover the whole sky over the islands and birds eggs can be found everywhere. Visitors can hear the singing of birds from miles away. These have become a world famous symbol of the lake. To protect this paradise for birds and support calls for ecological protection, China set up the Qinghai Lake Natural Protection Zone at the end of 1997. Meanwhile, the State has pointed out the Bird Islands and Spring Bay of the Qinghai Lake as central protection zones. Inspection officials and management employees often patrol the lake, improving local residents' knowledge of related laws and spreading knowledge about animal protection to visitors. They are making great efforts to call on people to love and protect the birds. At the same time, they have built special fences around the island area, to prevent wolves, foxes and other carnivorous animals, as well as illegal hunters from breaking up the birds' nest-building, egg-laying and breeding. As a result, more and more birds are coming to the islands for sheltering and breeding. The officials go around the lake mainly to _ A) let the farmers there know the animal protection law B) tell the farmers there some knowledge about animal protection. C) call on people to love and protect the birds D) all of the above
D