Bruce Alberts, the former President of the National Academies (USA), has now taken over as Editor-in Chief of Science. Judging by his editorial in this week's issueConsidering Science Education there could be some interesting times ahead inScience offices. Here's part of what Bruce has to say about science education... I consider science education to be critically important to both science and the world, and I shall frequently deal with this topic on this page. Let's start with a big-picture view. Science has greatly advanced our understanding of the natural world and has enabled the creation of countless medicines and useful devices. It has also led to behaviors that have improved lives. The public appreciates these practical benefits of science, and science and scientists are generally respected, even by those who are not familiar with how science works or what exactly it has discovered. But society may less appreciate the advantage of having everyone acquire the ways of thinking and behaving that are central to practice of successful science: scientific habits of mind. These habits include a critical attitude toward established claims and a strong desire for logic and evidence. As famous astronomer Carl Sagan put it, science is our best detector . Individuals and societies clearly need a means to logically test the constant clever attempts to operate our purchasing and political decisions. They also need to challenge what is unreasonable, including the intolerance that led to so many regional and global conflicts. So how does this relate of science education? Might it be possible to encourage, across the world, scientific habits of mind, so as to create more rational societies everywhere? In principle, a strong expansion of science education could provide the world with _ , but only if scientists, educators, and policy-makers redefine the goals of science education, beginning with college-level teaching. Rather than only conveying what science has discovered about the natural world,... In Bruce Alberts' opinion, which is the most important in science education? A) Offering all students enough practice to drill their mind. B) Equipping all students with a thinking model of a scientist. C) Telling students what science has discovered about the natural world. D) Advising all students to challenge all established scientific achievements.
B
Astronauts on shorter shuttle missions often work very long days. Tasks are scheduled so tightly that break times are often used to finish the day's work. This type of schedule is far too demanding for long missions on the International Space Station(ISS). ISS crewmembers usually live in space for at least a quarter of a year. They work five days on and two days off to _ the normal way they do things on Earth as much as possible. Weekends give the crew valuable time to rest and do a few hours of housework. They can communicate with family and friends by email , internet phone and through private video conferences. While astronauts cannot go to a baseball game or a movie in orbit, there are many familiar activities that they can still enjoy . Before a mission, the family and friends of each ISS crewmember put together a collection of family photos, messages, videos and reading material for the astronauts to look at when they will be floating 370 kilometers above the Earth. During their mission, the crew also receives care packages with CDs, books, magazines, photos and letters . And as from early 2010, the internet became available on the ISS , giving astronauts the chance to do some "web surfing "in their personal time. Besides relaxing with these more common entertainments, astronauts can simply enjoy the experience of living in space. Many astronauts say that one of the most relaxing things to do in space is to look out the window and stare at the universe and the Earth's vast land mass and oceans. The passage mainly discusses how astronauts _ . A) work for longer missions in space B) connect with people on the Earth C) spend their free time in space D) observe the Earth from space
C
Q: Small talk is an essential part of our daily life, and is an essential skill to make you more popular as well to make other people happy. However it can be a big challenge. Here are some tips to improve small talk skills. Of course, making effective small talk means lots of practice, but keeping these tips in mind should improve overall conversational skills. Stay away from religious/ strong political beliefsks5u While you may firmly believe in something, beginning conversations and making small talk about your own personal beliefs may _ end the conversation. Keep it light, and don't try to convince the other person that you have the "correct" information about a higher being, political system or other belief system. Use the Internet to gain the specific vocabulary If you have a business meeting, or are meeting people who share a common interest, take advantage of the Internet to learn the specific vocabulary. Almost all business and interest groups have glossaries on the Internet. Find common interests Once you have a subject that interests both of you, keep to it! You can do this in a number of ways: talking about travel, talking about the school or friend you have in common, talking about the difference between your culture and the new culture(just be careful to make comparisons and not judgments) and so on. Listen This is very important. Listening carefully will help you understand and encourage those speaking to you. You might be nervous, but letting others state their opinion will improve the quality of the discussion and give you some time to think of an answer! What is the passage mainly about? A) Small talk, a very important part in our daily life. B) Making effective small talk through a lot of practice. C) The importance of common interests during small talk. D) Some tips on improving overall conversation skills.
A: D
The editor of the new Cool Camping Britain guide chooses some of his favorite new finds in England, Wales and Scotland. Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides Is this Britain's most beautiful campsite? From the grassy point looking seaward to the mountains, it's not hard for campers to see how the island inspired The Lord of the Rings author's fantasy landscapes. The campsite itself is as wild and wonderful as its setting. Open April -- September, from PS5 per tent per night. Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk Deep in the wilds of north Suffolk, this seven-acre campsite has only been open for a few years, with two fields separated by a lake and surrounded by woodland. The position is perfect. It's a great place to do nothing but get into nature. You can put up your tent in the bottom field or the woodland beyond. Open Easter -- October, from PS10 per tent per night. Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall This site, by a lake, is all about simple pleasures. Located in the former mining village, it has a summerhouse with books and games for a rainy day. There are many animals including pigs, hens, goats and ducks on the farm and a pub just a 10- minute stroll away. There's very little to do here, no bells and no whistles. Campfires are encouraged. Open Easter -- September, from PS10 per tent per night. Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Sciily Its only campsite, Troytown, couldn't be in a more remote position. Isolation is its greatest advantage -- so bring plenty of books to read and don't expect a phone signal. But at least one of life's necessities is available. Lying on the hillside overlooking the bay and near the island of the Gugh, it might just win the prize for best beer garden view in England. Open March October, from PS7. 50 per tent per night, Which place can you choose if you like a simple farm life? A) Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides. B) Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk. C) Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall. D) Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly.
C