首页
试卷库
试题库
当前位置：
X题卡
>
所有题目
>
题目详情
Text 2 We know today that the traditions of tribal art are more complex and less "primitive" th...
查看本题答案
包含此试题的试卷
国家统考科目《单项选择》真题及答案
点击查看
你可能感兴趣的试题
任务型阅读阅读下面一篇短文根据短文内容按要求完成下列各题Therearemanythingswene
Weoftentalkabouttheweather.Ifwewanttoknowaboutthew
1.Don'tbe________失望.YouwillhaveanotherchancE.2.Cli
We'dliketoknowthereasonhewaslatetoday. A.for B.w
请认真阅读下面短文在短文后表格中的空白处填入适当的单词注意每空1个单词FutureandTodayI
Weoftentalkabouttheweather.Ifwewanttoknowaboutthew
Itisrather________thatwestilldonotknowhowmanyspeci
misleading
embarrassing
boring
demanding
Asweallknowtheproblemsofenvironmentalpollutionfaci
solving
being solved
having solved
solved
根据句意及汉语提示写出句中所缺的单词1.今天我以学校为荣明天学校以我为傲TodayI'm______
Nooneknowswhattheworldwillbelikebutweallknowthatit
Itisknowtoallthatwestudentsoftodayhavetofixouratte
请认真阅读下面短文在短文后表格中的空白处填入适当的单词注意每空1个单词FutureandTodayI
按每小题后的要求转换下面的句子每空一词1.Wehavefineweathertoday.改为感叹句_
Itisratherthatwestilldonotknowhowmanyspeciestherea
misleading
embarrassing
boring
demanding
根据句意及所给的词首字母或汉语提示补全单词1.Asweknowthem________goesrou
----WillLiuYingcometoschooltoday?----Idon’tknow.Bu
that she will come to school today
whether will she come to school today
how will she come to school today
if she will come to school today
Notuntil_____more_____abletoimprovethesituation.
do we know , will we be
we know , we will be
do we know , we will
we know , will we be
Thenursingvocationasweknowittodaycameintobeingatth
profession
society
philosophy
uniform
任务型阅读阅读下面一篇短文根据短文内容按要求完成下列各题Therearemanythingswene
ItwasanAmericanmancalledHenryFord___createdthemoto
that; what
whom; that
who; where
who; as
热门试题
更多
Text4 NiallFitzGeraldwouldhavelikedtoleaveUnileverinablazeofglorywhenheretiresattheendofSeptember.Theco-chiefexecutiveoftheAnglo-Dutchconsumer-goodsgroupwasoneofthegodfathersofUnilever’s"PathtoGrowth"strategyoffocusingonitsbrandswhichwaslaunchedliveyearsago.Buttheplanfailedtodeliveronmanyofitspromises.OnSeptember20thUnileverwarnedthatitwouldnotreportitspromiseddouble-digitgrowthinprofitsthisyear. Itisatoughtimeforproducersofbrandedconsumergoods.Unileveranditscompetitorshavetocopewithpressureonpricesandstiffcompetitionfromsupermarkets’ownbrandsColgate-Palmolivewarnedoflowerprofitsonthe’samedayNestlerecentlydisappointedinvestorswithitslatestresults.EvensoUnileveradmitsthebulkofitstroublesareself-inflicted.The"PathtoGrowth"strategyaimedtomakethefirmmoreefficient.Unileversavedabout4billioneuro$4.9billionincostsoverthepastfiveyearsandreduceditsportfolioofbrandsfront1600tosome450Butitstillfailedtomeetitstargetsforprofitandsalesreportingasalesdeclineof0.7%forthesecondquarterofthisyear. AndrewWoodatSanfordBernsteinaninvestment-researchfirmthinksthemainproblemisunder-investmentinadvertisingandmarketinganinfatuationwithbrandsandunrealisticperformancetargets.UnilevercutitsadandmarketingexpenditureattheworstmomentsaysMr.Wood.Commoditisedproductsareespeciallyvulnerabletotheonslaughtofretailers’ownbrands.Inmargarineforinstanceretailers’ownbrandsnowcaptureasmuchasone-fifthofthemarket.UnileveralsooverextendedsomesuccessfulbrandsforinstanceBertolli’soliveoilsandpastasauces.AccordingtoMr.WoodUnilevercansustainablygrowitsbusinessabout3%ayear;itwasshootingfor5-6%. Unilever’schieffinancialofficerCFOcountersthatconsumerslookforaproductandthenbuyabrandsohisfirmneedstofocusonbrands.Unileverintendstostepupitsmarketingeffortsalthoughadspendingissupposedtoremainatcurrentlevels.AtpresentUnileverspends14.5%ofsalesonads.ButeventheCFOadmitsthecompanyhas"issuesofcompetitiveness".Aftersevenquartersofdisappointingperformanceitneedstoregaincredibilitywithinvestors.Overthenextfewmonthsmanagementwillrethinkitsstrategyforthenextfive-yearplan.PatrickCescauaFrenchmanwhowilltakeoverfromMr.FitzGeraldisinheritingatrickylegacy. IntheeyesofUnileveritstroublesmainlyliein
Text2 Naturalismistheviewthatthe"natural"universetheuniverseofmatterandenergyisallthattherereallyis.Byrulingoutaspiritualpartofthehumanpersonwhichmightsurvivedeathandagodwhomightresurrectthebodynaturalismalsorulesoutsurvivalafterdeath.Inadditionnaturalismdenieshumanfreedomonthegroundsthateveryeventmustbeexplainablebydeterministicnaturallaws.Itdeniesanyabsolutevaluesbecauseitcanfindnogroundsforsuchvaluesinaworldmadeuponlyofmatterandenergy.AndfinallynaturalismdeniesthattheuniversehasanymeaningorpurposebecausethereisnoGodtogiveitameaningorpurposeandnothingelsewhichcangiveitameaningorpurpose. AnyonewhoacceptsthefirstthreedenialsofGodspiritualbeingsandimmortalitymightbecalledanaturalistinthebroadsenseandanyonewhoaddstothesethedenialoffreedomvaluesandpurposemightbelabeledanaturalistinthestrictsenseorastrictnaturalist;Someopponentsofnaturalismwouldarguethatnaturalistsinthebroadsenseareatleastsomewhatinconsistentandthatnaturalisminthebroadsenseleadslogicallytostrictnaturalism.ManyStrictnaturalistswouldagreewiththis. Thosewhorejectnaturalisminboththestrictandbroadsensedosoforavarietyofreasons.Theymayhavepositiveargumentsfortheexistenceofsomeofwhatnaturalistsdenyortheymayhavewhatseemtobedecisiverefutationsofsomeoralloftheargumentsfornaturalism.Butinadditiontoparticularargumentsagainstnaturalisttenetsortheirgroundsofbeliefsomeopponentsofnaturalismbelievethatthereisageneralargumentwhichholdsagainstanyformofnaturalism.Theseopponentsholdthatnaturalismhasa"fatalflaw"ortoputitmorestronglythatnaturalismisself-destroying.Ifnaturalismistruethenhumanreasonmustbetheresultofnaturalforces. Thesenaturalforcesarenotonthenaturalisticviewrationalthemselvesnorcantheybetheresultofarationalcause.Sohumanreasonwouldbetheresultofnonrationalcauses.Thisitcanbearguedgivesusastrongreasontodistrusthumanreasonespeciallyinitslesspracticalandmoretheoreticalexercises.Butthetheoryofnaturalismisitselfsuchanexerciseoftheoreticalreason.Ifnaturalismistruewewouldhavestrongreasonstodistrusttheoreticalreasoning.Ifwedistrusttheoreticalreasoningwedistrustparticularapplicationsofitsuchasthetheoryofnaturalism.Thusifnaturalismistruewehavestrongreasonstodistrustnaturalism. Thegeneralargumentagainstnaturalismfocusesonits
Text2 Naturalismistheviewthatthe"natural"universetheuniverseofmatterandenergyisallthattherereallyis.Byrulingoutaspiritualpartofthehumanpersonwhichmightsurvivedeathandagodwhomightresurrectthebodynaturalismalsorulesoutsurvivalafterdeath.Inadditionnaturalismdenieshumanfreedomonthegroundsthateveryeventmustbeexplainablebydeterministicnaturallaws.Itdeniesanyabsolutevaluesbecauseitcanfindnogroundsforsuchvaluesinaworldmadeuponlyofmatterandenergy.AndfinallynaturalismdeniesthattheuniversehasanymeaningorpurposebecausethereisnoGodtogiveitameaningorpurposeandnothingelsewhichcangiveitameaningorpurpose. AnyonewhoacceptsthefirstthreedenialsofGodspiritualbeingsandimmortalitymightbecalledanaturalistinthebroadsenseandanyonewhoaddstothesethedenialoffreedomvaluesandpurposemightbelabeledanaturalistinthestrictsenseorastrictnaturalist;Someopponentsofnaturalismwouldarguethatnaturalistsinthebroadsenseareatleastsomewhatinconsistentandthatnaturalisminthebroadsenseleadslogicallytostrictnaturalism.ManyStrictnaturalistswouldagreewiththis. Thosewhorejectnaturalisminboththestrictandbroadsensedosoforavarietyofreasons.Theymayhavepositiveargumentsfortheexistenceofsomeofwhatnaturalistsdenyortheymayhavewhatseemtobedecisiverefutationsofsomeoralloftheargumentsfornaturalism.Butinadditiontoparticularargumentsagainstnaturalisttenetsortheirgroundsofbeliefsomeopponentsofnaturalismbelievethatthereisageneralargumentwhichholdsagainstanyformofnaturalism.Theseopponentsholdthatnaturalismhasa"fatalflaw"ortoputitmorestronglythatnaturalismisself-destroying.Ifnaturalismistruethenhumanreasonmustbetheresultofnaturalforces. Thesenaturalforcesarenotonthenaturalisticviewrationalthemselvesnorcantheybetheresultofarationalcause.Sohumanreasonwouldbetheresultofnonrationalcauses.Thisitcanbearguedgivesusastrongreasontodistrusthumanreasonespeciallyinitslesspracticalandmoretheoreticalexercises.Butthetheoryofnaturalismisitselfsuchanexerciseoftheoreticalreason.Ifnaturalismistruewewouldhavestrongreasonstodistrusttheoreticalreasoning.Ifwedistrusttheoreticalreasoningwedistrustparticularapplicationsofitsuchasthetheoryofnaturalism.Thusifnaturalismistruewehavestrongreasonstodistrustnaturalism. Whichofthefollowingconcerningthosewhorejectnaturalismaretrue
1describethepicturebriefly 2interpretitsintendedmeaningand 3giveyourcomments.
Formorethan40yearsacontrollinginsightinmyeducationalphilosophyhasbeentherecognitionthatnoonehaseverbeen—noonecanbe—educatedinschoolorcollege. 46Thatwouldbethecaseifourschoolsandcollegeswereattheirverybestwhichtheycertainlyarenotandevenifthestudentswereamongthebestandthebrightestaswellasconscientiousintheapplicationoftheirpowers. Thereasonissimplythatyouthitself—immaturity—isanunconquerableobstacletobecomingeducated.Schoolingisfortheyoung.Educationcomeslaterusuallymuchlater.47Theverybestthingforourschoolstodoistopreparetheyoungforcontinuedlearninginlaterlifebygivingthemtheskillsoflearningandtheloveofit.Ourschoolsandcollegesarenotdoingthatnowbutthatiswhattheyshouldbedoing. 48Tospeakofaneducatedyoungpersonorofawiseyoungpersonrichintheunderstandingofbasicideasandissuesisasmuchacontradictionintermsastospeakofaroundsquare.Theyoungcanbepreparedforeducationintheyearstocomebutonlymaturemenandwomencanbecomeeducatedbeginningtheprocessoftheir40sand50sandreachingsomeamountofgenuineinsightsoundjudgmentandpracticalwisdomaftertheyhaveturned60. Thisiswhatnohighschoolorcollegegraduatesknoworcanunderstand.Asamatteroffactmostoftheirteachersdonotseemtoknowit.49Intheirobsessionwithcoveringgroundandinthewayinwhichtheytestorexaminetheirstudentstheycertainlydonotactasiftheyunderstoodthattheywereonlypreparingtheirstudentsforeducationinlaterliferatherthantryingtocompleteitwithintherealmsoftheirinstitutions. Thereisofcoursesometruthintheancientinsightthatawarenessofignoranceisthebeginningofwisdom.Butrememberitisjustthebeginning.Fromthereononehastodosomethingaboutit.50Andtodoitintelligentlyonemustknowsomethingofitscausesandcures—whyadultsneededucationandwhatifanythingtheycandoaboutit. 50
Text2 Browsethroughtheracksofdressesskirtsandtopsinalmostanytrendyclothingstoreinfashion-savvyArgentinaandwhetheryoufindsomethingthatfitsdependsonyoursize.Butshopscarryfew—ifany—optionsforcurvaceouswomen.WhenyougointoastoreandfindanextralargeyouknowthatitisreallytheequivalentofamediumorevenasmallbasedonAmericanstandards.Youfeelfrustratedbemuseyoustarttothinkthateverybodyislikethisandthatyouarebig.Butthat’snottrue. Inthisbeauty-consciousnationwhichhastheworld’ssecond-highestrateofanorexiamanyarepartiallyblarningthecountry’sclothingindustryforofferingonlytinysizesofthelatestfashions.Theresultisadangerousparadoxofgirlsandwomenadaptingtotheclothesratherthanclothesadaptingtothem.TheArgentinelegislatureisconsideringwhethertoforceclothingmanufacturerstocover"alltheanthropometricmeasurementsoftheArgentinewoman"uptoextralargesize.Thebillalsoaddressestherelatedproblemofso-called"tricky"labelinginwhichSMandLdesignationsvarybybrandandaresmallerthaninternationalstandards. Theproposalhasraisedeyebrowsinahistoricallyflirtatioussocietyskepticalofgovernmentandwellknownforitsobsessionwithbeauty."Argentinahastheworld’shighestratesofaestheticsurgery"saysMabelBellofounderoftheAssociationfortheFightAgainstAnorexia."Whenyouaxetalkingabouthowpreoccupiedwithbeautyoursocietyisthatisthemosttellingstatistic." Forexpertssuchstatisticsspellfutilityforlegalremedies."Thesetypesoflawsarenotgoingtocauselastingchanges"saysSusanaSaulquinasociologistoffashion."Abetterwaytoaddresstheproblemisthroughpubliceducationthatemphasizesbalancedeatinghabitsoveranunrealisticidealofbeauty."Currentlycompaniestrytopreservebrandimagebycateringtoyoungandextremelythincustomersbutovertimeshebelievesamorebalancedviewofbeautywillemerge. Fortheirpartindustrygroupscondemnthebillasoverreachingstateintervening.Theysaytheirbusinessdecisionsareguidedbyconsumerdemand."Wearenotinfavorofanythingthatregulatesthemarket"saysLauraCoddaarepresentativeofmajorclothingmanufacturers."Everyclothingcompanyhastherighttomakeanythingtheycansell—anycoloranysizes."ShesayshergroupisnotopposedtomeasuresthatwouldstandardizesizingbutshenotesthatmanyifnotmostclothesinArgentinestoresalreadycarrythenumericaldesignationscalledforinthehill. Ifhistoryisaguidethefateoftheproposedlawissomewhatbleak.Howeverin2005theprovincialgovernmentofBuenosAiresmanagedtopassasimilarlaw—althoughthegovernorfailedtosignit. AccordingtothepassageSusanaSaulquin
Formorethan40yearsacontrollinginsightinmyeducationalphilosophyhasbeentherecognitionthatnoonehaseverbeen—noonecanbe—educatedinschoolorcollege. 46Thatwouldbethecaseifourschoolsandcollegeswereattheirverybestwhichtheycertainlyarenotandevenifthestudentswereamongthebestandthebrightestaswellasconscientiousintheapplicationoftheirpowers. Thereasonissimplythatyouthitself—immaturity—isanunconquerableobstacletobecomingeducated.Schoolingisfortheyoung.Educationcomeslaterusuallymuchlater.47Theverybestthingforourschoolstodoistopreparetheyoungforcontinuedlearninginlaterlifebygivingthemtheskillsoflearningandtheloveofit.Ourschoolsandcollegesarenotdoingthatnowbutthatiswhattheyshouldbedoing. 48Tospeakofaneducatedyoungpersonorofawiseyoungpersonrichintheunderstandingofbasicideasandissuesisasmuchacontradictionintermsastospeakofaroundsquare.Theyoungcanbepreparedforeducationintheyearstocomebutonlymaturemenandwomencanbecomeeducatedbeginningtheprocessoftheir40sand50sandreachingsomeamountofgenuineinsightsoundjudgmentandpracticalwisdomaftertheyhaveturned60. Thisiswhatnohighschoolorcollegegraduatesknoworcanunderstand.Asamatteroffactmostoftheirteachersdonotseemtoknowit.49Intheirobsessionwithcoveringgroundandinthewayinwhichtheytestorexaminetheirstudentstheycertainlydonotactasiftheyunderstoodthattheywereonlypreparingtheirstudentsforeducationinlaterliferatherthantryingtocompleteitwithintherealmsoftheirinstitutions. Thereisofcoursesometruthintheancientinsightthatawarenessofignoranceisthebeginningofwisdom.Butrememberitisjustthebeginning.Fromthereononehastodosomethingaboutit.50Andtodoitintelligentlyonemustknowsomethingofitscausesandcures—whyadultsneededucationandwhatifanythingtheycandoaboutit. 48
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 12
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 6
Text3 Ifopen-sourcesoftwareissupposedtobefreehowdoesanyonesellingitmakeanymoneyIt’snotthatdifferentfromhowothersoftwarecompaniesmakemoney. You’dthinkthatasoftwarecompanywouldmakemostofitsmoneyfromwellsellingsoftware.Butyou’dbewrong.Foronethingcompaniesdon’tsellsoftwarestrictlyspeaking;theylicenseit.Theprofitmarginonasoftwarelicenseisnearly100percentwhichiswhyMicrosoftgushesbillionsofdollarseveryquarter. Butwhat’sthevalueofalicensetoacustomerAlicensedoesn’tdeliverthecodeprovidetheutilitiestogetapieceofsoftwarerunningoranswerthephonewhensomethinginevitablygoeswrong.Thevalueofsoftwareinshortdoesn’tlieinthesoftwarealone.Thevalueisinmakingsurethesoftwaredoesitsjob.Justasatravelershouldlookattheoverallpriceofavacationpackageinsteadofobsessingoverthepriceoftheplaneticketorhotelroomasmarttechbuyerwon’tfocusonhowmuchthelicensecostsandignorethesupportcontractorthemaintenanceagreement. Open-sourceisnotthatdifferent.Ifyouwantthesoftwaretoworkyouhavetopaytoensureitwillwork.Theopen-sourcecompanieshaverefinedthesoftwaremodelbysellingsubscriptions.TheyrolltogethersupportandmaintenanceandchargeanannualfeewhichisahealthymodelthoughnotquiteaswonderfulasMicrosoft’smoney-rakingone.TellinglyevenMicrosoftiscastinganenviouseyeataspectsoftheopen-sourcebusinessmodel.Thecompanyhasbeentakinghaltingstepstowardasimilarsubscriptionschemeforitssoftwaresales.Microsoft’ssubscriptionprogramknownasSoftwareAssuranceprovidesmaintenanceandsupporttogetherwithasoftwarelicense.ItletsyouupgradetoMicrosoft’snextversionofthesoftwareforapredictablesum.Butitalsocontainsanimplicitthreat:Ifyoudon’tswitchtoSoftwareAssurancenowwhoknowshowmuchMicrosoftwillchargeyouwhenyoudecidetoupgrade Chiefinformationofficershatethiskindof"assurance"sincethey’reoftenperfectlyhappyrunningolderversionsofsoftwarethatareprovenandstable.Microsoftontheotherhandrakesinthesoftware-licensingfeesonlywhencustomersupgrade.SoftwareAssuranceisMicrosoft’sattempttogetthosesamelicensingfeesbutwrapthemtogetherwiththeserviceandsupportneededtokeepsystemsrunning.That’swhyMicrosoftfindstheopen-sourcemodelsothreatening:open-sourcecompanieshavenovestedinterestingettingmorelicensingfeesanddon’thavetopadtheirservicecontractswiththatextracost.Intheendthemaindifferencebetweenopen-sourceandproprietarysoftwarecompaniesmaybethesizeofthecheckyouhavetowrite. TheauthorusedtheexampleofatravelerPara.3toshowthat
Text2 Browsethroughtheracksofdressesskirtsandtopsinalmostanytrendyclothingstoreinfashion-savvyArgentinaandwhetheryoufindsomethingthatfitsdependsonyoursize.Butshopscarryfew—ifany—optionsforcurvaceouswomen.WhenyougointoastoreandfindanextralargeyouknowthatitisreallytheequivalentofamediumorevenasmallbasedonAmericanstandards.Youfeelfrustratedbemuseyoustarttothinkthateverybodyislikethisandthatyouarebig.Butthat’snottrue. Inthisbeauty-consciousnationwhichhastheworld’ssecond-highestrateofanorexiamanyarepartiallyblarningthecountry’sclothingindustryforofferingonlytinysizesofthelatestfashions.Theresultisadangerousparadoxofgirlsandwomenadaptingtotheclothesratherthanclothesadaptingtothem.TheArgentinelegislatureisconsideringwhethertoforceclothingmanufacturerstocover"alltheanthropometricmeasurementsoftheArgentinewoman"uptoextralargesize.Thebillalsoaddressestherelatedproblemofso-called"tricky"labelinginwhichSMandLdesignationsvarybybrandandaresmallerthaninternationalstandards. Theproposalhasraisedeyebrowsinahistoricallyflirtatioussocietyskepticalofgovernmentandwellknownforitsobsessionwithbeauty."Argentinahastheworld’shighestratesofaestheticsurgery"saysMabelBellofounderoftheAssociationfortheFightAgainstAnorexia."Whenyouaxetalkingabouthowpreoccupiedwithbeautyoursocietyisthatisthemosttellingstatistic." Forexpertssuchstatisticsspellfutilityforlegalremedies."Thesetypesoflawsarenotgoingtocauselastingchanges"saysSusanaSaulquinasociologistoffashion."Abetterwaytoaddresstheproblemisthroughpubliceducationthatemphasizesbalancedeatinghabitsoveranunrealisticidealofbeauty."Currentlycompaniestrytopreservebrandimagebycateringtoyoungandextremelythincustomersbutovertimeshebelievesamorebalancedviewofbeautywillemerge. Fortheirpartindustrygroupscondemnthebillasoverreachingstateintervening.Theysaytheirbusinessdecisionsareguidedbyconsumerdemand."Wearenotinfavorofanythingthatregulatesthemarket"saysLauraCoddaarepresentativeofmajorclothingmanufacturers."Everyclothingcompanyhastherighttomakeanythingtheycansell—anycoloranysizes."ShesayshergroupisnotopposedtomeasuresthatwouldstandardizesizingbutshenotesthatmanyifnotmostclothesinArgentinestoresalreadycarrythenumericaldesignationscalledforinthehill. Ifhistoryisaguidethefateoftheproposedlawissomewhatbleak.Howeverin2005theprovincialgovernmentofBuenosAiresmanagedtopassasimilarlaw—althoughthegovernorfailedtosignit. Aestheticsurgeryismentionedtoshowthat
Text1 Theplanet’swildcreaturesfaceanewthreatfromyuppiesemptynesterssingletonsandoneparentfamilies.Biologistsstudyingthepressureontheplanet’sdwindlingbiodiversitytodayreportonanewreasonforalarm.Althoughtherateofgrowthinthehumanpopulationisdecreasingthenumberofindividualhouseholdsisexploding.Evenwherepopulationshaveactuallydwindled—insomeregionsofNewZealandforinstance—thenumberofindividualhouseholdshasincreasedbecauseofdivorcecareerchoicesmallerfamiliesandlongerlifespans. JianguoLiuofMichiganStateUniversityandcolleaguesfromStanfordUniversityinCaliforniareportinNatureinapaperpublishedonlineinadvancethatagreaternumberofindividualhouseholdseachcontainingonaveragefewerpeoplemeantmorepressureonnaturalresources.Townsandcitiesbegantosprawlasnewhomeswerebuilt.Eachhouseholdneededfueltoheatandlightit;eachhouseholdrequireditsownplumbingcookingandrefrigeration."Inlargerhouseholdstheefficiencyofresourceconsumptionwillbealothigherbecausemorepeoplesharethings"Dr.Liusaid.Heandhiscolleagueslookedatthepopulationpatternsoflifein141countriesincluding76"hotspot"regionsunusuallyrichinavarietyofendemicwildlife.ThesehotspotsincludedAustraliaNewZealandtheUSBrazilChinaIndiaKenyaandItaly.Theyfoundthatbetween1985and2000inthe"hotspot"partsoftheglobetheannual3.1%growthrateinthenumberofhouseholdswasfarhigherthanthepopulationgrowthrateof1.8%. "Hadtheaveragehouseholdsizeremainedatthe1985level"thescientistsreport"therewouldhavebeen155mfewerhouseholdsinhotspotcountriesin2000.Paradoxicallysmallerhouseholdsdonotmeansmallerhomes.InIndianRivercountyFloridatheaverageareaofaone-storeysinglefamilyhouseincreased33%inthepastthreedecades." Dr.Liu’sworkgrewfromthealarmingdiscoverythatthegiantpandaslivinginChina’sWolongreserveweremoreatrisknowthantheywerewhenthereservewasfirstestablished.Thelocalpopulationhadgrownbutthetotalnumberofhomeshadincreasedmoreswiftlytomakegreaterinroadsintothebambooforests. GretchenDailyofStanfordoneoftheauthorssaid:"Wealldependonopenspaceandwildplacesnotjustforpeaceofmindbutforvitalservicessuchascroppollinationwaterpurificationandclimatestabilization.Thealarmingthingaboutthisstudyisthefindingthatiffamilygroupscontinuetobecomesmallerandsmallerwemightcontinuelosingbiodiversity—evenifwegettheaggregatehumanpopulationsizestabilised." Whichofthefollowingmightbethebesttitleforthispassage
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 18
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 10
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 14
Text4 NiallFitzGeraldwouldhavelikedtoleaveUnileverinablazeofglorywhenheretiresattheendofSeptember.Theco-chiefexecutiveoftheAnglo-Dutchconsumer-goodsgroupwasoneofthegodfathersofUnilever’s"PathtoGrowth"strategyoffocusingonitsbrandswhichwaslaunchedliveyearsago.Buttheplanfailedtodeliveronmanyofitspromises.OnSeptember20thUnileverwarnedthatitwouldnotreportitspromiseddouble-digitgrowthinprofitsthisyear. Itisatoughtimeforproducersofbrandedconsumergoods.Unileveranditscompetitorshavetocopewithpressureonpricesandstiffcompetitionfromsupermarkets’ownbrandsColgate-Palmolivewarnedoflowerprofitsonthe’samedayNestlerecentlydisappointedinvestorswithitslatestresults.EvensoUnileveradmitsthebulkofitstroublesareself-inflicted.The"PathtoGrowth"strategyaimedtomakethefirmmoreefficient.Unileversavedabout4billioneuro$4.9billionincostsoverthepastfiveyearsandreduceditsportfolioofbrandsfront1600tosome450Butitstillfailedtomeetitstargetsforprofitandsalesreportingasalesdeclineof0.7%forthesecondquarterofthisyear. AndrewWoodatSanfordBernsteinaninvestment-researchfirmthinksthemainproblemisunder-investmentinadvertisingandmarketinganinfatuationwithbrandsandunrealisticperformancetargets.UnilevercutitsadandmarketingexpenditureattheworstmomentsaysMr.Wood.Commoditisedproductsareespeciallyvulnerabletotheonslaughtofretailers’ownbrands.Inmargarineforinstanceretailers’ownbrandsnowcaptureasmuchasone-fifthofthemarket.UnileveralsooverextendedsomesuccessfulbrandsforinstanceBertolli’soliveoilsandpastasauces.AccordingtoMr.WoodUnilevercansustainablygrowitsbusinessabout3%ayear;itwasshootingfor5-6%. Unilever’schieffinancialofficerCFOcountersthatconsumerslookforaproductandthenbuyabrandsohisfirmneedstofocusonbrands.Unileverintendstostepupitsmarketingeffortsalthoughadspendingissupposedtoremainatcurrentlevels.AtpresentUnileverspends14.5%ofsalesonads.ButeventheCFOadmitsthecompanyhas"issuesofcompetitiveness".Aftersevenquartersofdisappointingperformanceitneedstoregaincredibilitywithinvestors.Overthenextfewmonthsmanagementwillrethinkitsstrategyforthenextfive-yearplan.PatrickCescauaFrenchmanwhowilltakeoverfromMr.FitzGeraldisinheritingatrickylegacy. AccordingtothepassageNiallFitzGerald
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 4
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 20
Text2 Browsethroughtheracksofdressesskirtsandtopsinalmostanytrendyclothingstoreinfashion-savvyArgentinaandwhetheryoufindsomethingthatfitsdependsonyoursize.Butshopscarryfew—ifany—optionsforcurvaceouswomen.WhenyougointoastoreandfindanextralargeyouknowthatitisreallytheequivalentofamediumorevenasmallbasedonAmericanstandards.Youfeelfrustratedbemuseyoustarttothinkthateverybodyislikethisandthatyouarebig.Butthat’snottrue. Inthisbeauty-consciousnationwhichhastheworld’ssecond-highestrateofanorexiamanyarepartiallyblarningthecountry’sclothingindustryforofferingonlytinysizesofthelatestfashions.Theresultisadangerousparadoxofgirlsandwomenadaptingtotheclothesratherthanclothesadaptingtothem.TheArgentinelegislatureisconsideringwhethertoforceclothingmanufacturerstocover"alltheanthropometricmeasurementsoftheArgentinewoman"uptoextralargesize.Thebillalsoaddressestherelatedproblemofso-called"tricky"labelinginwhichSMandLdesignationsvarybybrandandaresmallerthaninternationalstandards. Theproposalhasraisedeyebrowsinahistoricallyflirtatioussocietyskepticalofgovernmentandwellknownforitsobsessionwithbeauty."Argentinahastheworld’shighestratesofaestheticsurgery"saysMabelBellofounderoftheAssociationfortheFightAgainstAnorexia."Whenyouaxetalkingabouthowpreoccupiedwithbeautyoursocietyisthatisthemosttellingstatistic." Forexpertssuchstatisticsspellfutilityforlegalremedies."Thesetypesoflawsarenotgoingtocauselastingchanges"saysSusanaSaulquinasociologistoffashion."Abetterwaytoaddresstheproblemisthroughpubliceducationthatemphasizesbalancedeatinghabitsoveranunrealisticidealofbeauty."Currentlycompaniestrytopreservebrandimagebycateringtoyoungandextremelythincustomersbutovertimeshebelievesamorebalancedviewofbeautywillemerge. Fortheirpartindustrygroupscondemnthebillasoverreachingstateintervening.Theysaytheirbusinessdecisionsareguidedbyconsumerdemand."Wearenotinfavorofanythingthatregulatesthemarket"saysLauraCoddaarepresentativeofmajorclothingmanufacturers."Everyclothingcompanyhastherighttomakeanythingtheycansell—anycoloranysizes."ShesayshergroupisnotopposedtomeasuresthatwouldstandardizesizingbutshenotesthatmanyifnotmostclothesinArgentinestoresalreadycarrythenumericaldesignationscalledforinthehill. Ifhistoryisaguidethefateoftheproposedlawissomewhatbleak.Howeverin2005theprovincialgovernmentofBuenosAiresmanagedtopassasimilarlaw—althoughthegovernorfailedtosignit. Thebesttitleforthispassagemaybe
Text4 NiallFitzGeraldwouldhavelikedtoleaveUnileverinablazeofglorywhenheretiresattheendofSeptember.Theco-chiefexecutiveoftheAnglo-Dutchconsumer-goodsgroupwasoneofthegodfathersofUnilever’s"PathtoGrowth"strategyoffocusingonitsbrandswhichwaslaunchedliveyearsago.Buttheplanfailedtodeliveronmanyofitspromises.OnSeptember20thUnileverwarnedthatitwouldnotreportitspromiseddouble-digitgrowthinprofitsthisyear. Itisatoughtimeforproducersofbrandedconsumergoods.Unileveranditscompetitorshavetocopewithpressureonpricesandstiffcompetitionfromsupermarkets’ownbrandsColgate-Palmolivewarnedoflowerprofitsonthe’samedayNestlerecentlydisappointedinvestorswithitslatestresults.EvensoUnileveradmitsthebulkofitstroublesareself-inflicted.The"PathtoGrowth"strategyaimedtomakethefirmmoreefficient.Unileversavedabout4billioneuro$4.9billionincostsoverthepastfiveyearsandreduceditsportfolioofbrandsfront1600tosome450Butitstillfailedtomeetitstargetsforprofitandsalesreportingasalesdeclineof0.7%forthesecondquarterofthisyear. AndrewWoodatSanfordBernsteinaninvestment-researchfirmthinksthemainproblemisunder-investmentinadvertisingandmarketinganinfatuationwithbrandsandunrealisticperformancetargets.UnilevercutitsadandmarketingexpenditureattheworstmomentsaysMr.Wood.Commoditisedproductsareespeciallyvulnerabletotheonslaughtofretailers’ownbrands.Inmargarineforinstanceretailers’ownbrandsnowcaptureasmuchasone-fifthofthemarket.UnileveralsooverextendedsomesuccessfulbrandsforinstanceBertolli’soliveoilsandpastasauces.AccordingtoMr.WoodUnilevercansustainablygrowitsbusinessabout3%ayear;itwasshootingfor5-6%. Unilever’schieffinancialofficerCFOcountersthatconsumerslookforaproductandthenbuyabrandsohisfirmneedstofocusonbrands.Unileverintendstostepupitsmarketingeffortsalthoughadspendingissupposedtoremainatcurrentlevels.AtpresentUnileverspends14.5%ofsalesonads.ButeventheCFOadmitsthecompanyhas"issuesofcompetitiveness".Aftersevenquartersofdisappointingperformanceitneedstoregaincredibilitywithinvestors.Overthenextfewmonthsmanagementwillrethinkitsstrategyforthenextfive-yearplan.PatrickCescauaFrenchmanwhowilltakeoverfromMr.FitzGeraldisinheritingatrickylegacy. WecanlearnfromthelastparagraphthatPatrickCescau
Text2 Naturalismistheviewthatthe"natural"universetheuniverseofmatterandenergyisallthattherereallyis.Byrulingoutaspiritualpartofthehumanpersonwhichmightsurvivedeathandagodwhomightresurrectthebodynaturalismalsorulesoutsurvivalafterdeath.Inadditionnaturalismdenieshumanfreedomonthegroundsthateveryeventmustbeexplainablebydeterministicnaturallaws.Itdeniesanyabsolutevaluesbecauseitcanfindnogroundsforsuchvaluesinaworldmadeuponlyofmatterandenergy.AndfinallynaturalismdeniesthattheuniversehasanymeaningorpurposebecausethereisnoGodtogiveitameaningorpurposeandnothingelsewhichcangiveitameaningorpurpose. AnyonewhoacceptsthefirstthreedenialsofGodspiritualbeingsandimmortalitymightbecalledanaturalistinthebroadsenseandanyonewhoaddstothesethedenialoffreedomvaluesandpurposemightbelabeledanaturalistinthestrictsenseorastrictnaturalist;Someopponentsofnaturalismwouldarguethatnaturalistsinthebroadsenseareatleastsomewhatinconsistentandthatnaturalisminthebroadsenseleadslogicallytostrictnaturalism.ManyStrictnaturalistswouldagreewiththis. Thosewhorejectnaturalisminboththestrictandbroadsensedosoforavarietyofreasons.Theymayhavepositiveargumentsfortheexistenceofsomeofwhatnaturalistsdenyortheymayhavewhatseemtobedecisiverefutationsofsomeoralloftheargumentsfornaturalism.Butinadditiontoparticularargumentsagainstnaturalisttenetsortheirgroundsofbeliefsomeopponentsofnaturalismbelievethatthereisageneralargumentwhichholdsagainstanyformofnaturalism.Theseopponentsholdthatnaturalismhasa"fatalflaw"ortoputitmorestronglythatnaturalismisself-destroying.Ifnaturalismistruethenhumanreasonmustbetheresultofnaturalforces. Thesenaturalforcesarenotonthenaturalisticviewrationalthemselvesnorcantheybetheresultofarationalcause.Sohumanreasonwouldbetheresultofnonrationalcauses.Thisitcanbearguedgivesusastrongreasontodistrusthumanreasonespeciallyinitslesspracticalandmoretheoreticalexercises.Butthetheoryofnaturalismisitselfsuchanexerciseoftheoreticalreason.Ifnaturalismistruewewouldhavestrongreasonstodistrusttheoreticalreasoning.Ifwedistrusttheoreticalreasoningwedistrustparticularapplicationsofitsuchasthetheoryofnaturalism.Thusifnaturalismistruewehavestrongreasonstodistrustnaturalism. Naturalismbelievesthat
[A]Inourtimewomenhaveanaveragelifespanofalmost80years;doubleofwhatitwasinthelastcentury.Motherhoodcanbepostponedandintheorymarriagecanbepostponed.WomenintheUSAarestudyingmorethanmenandtheymaybecomemainbreadwinnerinthenearfuture. [B]Manywomengothroughlifethinkingconsciouslyorunconsciouslythatamanwillsolvealltheirproblems"OncewearemarriedeverythingwillbeOK."Thisattitudeonlysetusupforfailure.Menarenotprincesreadytotakeanychallengetorescuetheprincesses;theyarehumanbeingswiththeirownneedsandfears. [C]CarriewaswonderinginherbedroomaboutthecontinentthatherfriendNewYorksocialiteCharlotteYorkmade"Womenwanttoberescued."Carriewonders."IsthattrueIsthattheonlythingwomenwantRescuedbywhomIftheprincedidnotkissSnowWhitewouldshehavebeenfrozenforeverorwouldshehavewokenupanywayandmovedon"Snow.Whiteprobablyhadnootherchancebutwedo. [D]Nowonderoursocietyhaschanged.Ontheotherhandourvalueshavenotchangedfastenoughandmanywomenmore.soHispanicwomenarejustwaitingtoberescuedbytheprinceThesewomenhavenotrealizedtheynolongerneedtoberescued;theyneedamanforotherreasonsnottotakecareofthem. [E]Womeninoursocietyhave.somanyoptionsthatwedonotneedanybodyelsetorescueus;wearetheonlyonesthatcanrescueourselves.Ifyouhaveareasofyourlifethatyouwanttoimprovegoahead;doitforyouandforyouonlyoracceptyourselfasyouare.Donotbe.sonaivethatyouthink.someoneelsecantakecareofallyourproblems.Lifedoesnotworklikethat.Livelifetothefullestbehappywithwhoyouareandyouwillseethatifyouarehappywithyourselfyouwillmakeothershappyincludingyourman. [F]Oursocietyhaschangedinaremarkablewayinthelast50yearsorso.Andtherearemanyreasonsforit.Atthebeginningofthe20thcenturywomen’slifespanwasabout40years.Thereforelifeneededtostartearlierifawomanweregoingtoliveforonly40years;motherhoodwasapriority.Menusedtoworkandwomenstayedathomeandtookcareofthemandtheirkids.Womencouldnotsurvivewithoutaman;womenneededtoberescued. [G]Womenarecaregivers.Wearestrongandsmartandwehavetheabilitytotakecareofourselves;wedonotneedtoberescuedbyanyone.Whenwearegivingourpowertoothersinexchangeforsecurityweaxealsogivingupourfreedom.Areyouwaitingtoberescued13oyoueverthinklikethat Order: 44
Formorethan40yearsacontrollinginsightinmyeducationalphilosophyhasbeentherecognitionthatnoonehaseverbeen—noonecanbe—educatedinschoolorcollege. 46Thatwouldbethecaseifourschoolsandcollegeswereattheirverybestwhichtheycertainlyarenotandevenifthestudentswereamongthebestandthebrightestaswellasconscientiousintheapplicationoftheirpowers. Thereasonissimplythatyouthitself—immaturity—isanunconquerableobstacletobecomingeducated.Schoolingisfortheyoung.Educationcomeslaterusuallymuchlater.47Theverybestthingforourschoolstodoistopreparetheyoungforcontinuedlearninginlaterlifebygivingthemtheskillsoflearningandtheloveofit.Ourschoolsandcollegesarenotdoingthatnowbutthatiswhattheyshouldbedoing. 48Tospeakofaneducatedyoungpersonorofawiseyoungpersonrichintheunderstandingofbasicideasandissuesisasmuchacontradictionintermsastospeakofaroundsquare.Theyoungcanbepreparedforeducationintheyearstocomebutonlymaturemenandwomencanbecomeeducatedbeginningtheprocessoftheir40sand50sandreachingsomeamountofgenuineinsightsoundjudgmentandpracticalwisdomaftertheyhaveturned60. Thisiswhatnohighschoolorcollegegraduatesknoworcanunderstand.Asamatteroffactmostoftheirteachersdonotseemtoknowit.49Intheirobsessionwithcoveringgroundandinthewayinwhichtheytestorexaminetheirstudentstheycertainlydonotactasiftheyunderstoodthattheywereonlypreparingtheirstudentsforeducationinlaterliferatherthantryingtocompleteitwithintherealmsoftheirinstitutions. Thereisofcoursesometruthintheancientinsightthatawarenessofignoranceisthebeginningofwisdom.Butrememberitisjustthebeginning.Fromthereononehastodosomethingaboutit.50Andtodoitintelligentlyonemustknowsomethingofitscausesandcures—whyadultsneededucationandwhatifanythingtheycandoaboutit. 46
Text3 Ifopen-sourcesoftwareissupposedtobefreehowdoesanyonesellingitmakeanymoneyIt’snotthatdifferentfromhowothersoftwarecompaniesmakemoney. You’dthinkthatasoftwarecompanywouldmakemostofitsmoneyfromwellsellingsoftware.Butyou’dbewrong.Foronethingcompaniesdon’tsellsoftwarestrictlyspeaking;theylicenseit.Theprofitmarginonasoftwarelicenseisnearly100percentwhichiswhyMicrosoftgushesbillionsofdollarseveryquarter. Butwhat’sthevalueofalicensetoacustomerAlicensedoesn’tdeliverthecodeprovidetheutilitiestogetapieceofsoftwarerunningoranswerthephonewhensomethinginevitablygoeswrong.Thevalueofsoftwareinshortdoesn’tlieinthesoftwarealone.Thevalueisinmakingsurethesoftwaredoesitsjob.Justasatravelershouldlookattheoverallpriceofavacationpackageinsteadofobsessingoverthepriceoftheplaneticketorhotelroomasmarttechbuyerwon’tfocusonhowmuchthelicensecostsandignorethesupportcontractorthemaintenanceagreement. Open-sourceisnotthatdifferent.Ifyouwantthesoftwaretoworkyouhavetopaytoensureitwillwork.Theopen-sourcecompanieshaverefinedthesoftwaremodelbysellingsubscriptions.TheyrolltogethersupportandmaintenanceandchargeanannualfeewhichisahealthymodelthoughnotquiteaswonderfulasMicrosoft’smoney-rakingone.TellinglyevenMicrosoftiscastinganenviouseyeataspectsoftheopen-sourcebusinessmodel.Thecompanyhasbeentakinghaltingstepstowardasimilarsubscriptionschemeforitssoftwaresales.Microsoft’ssubscriptionprogramknownasSoftwareAssuranceprovidesmaintenanceandsupporttogetherwithasoftwarelicense.ItletsyouupgradetoMicrosoft’snextversionofthesoftwareforapredictablesum.Butitalsocontainsanimplicitthreat:Ifyoudon’tswitchtoSoftwareAssurancenowwhoknowshowmuchMicrosoftwillchargeyouwhenyoudecidetoupgrade Chiefinformationofficershatethiskindof"assurance"sincethey’reoftenperfectlyhappyrunningolderversionsofsoftwarethatareprovenandstable.Microsoftontheotherhandrakesinthesoftware-licensingfeesonlywhencustomersupgrade.SoftwareAssuranceisMicrosoft’sattempttogetthosesamelicensingfeesbutwrapthemtogetherwiththeserviceandsupportneededtokeepsystemsrunning.That’swhyMicrosoftfindstheopen-sourcemodelsothreatening:open-sourcecompanieshavenovestedinterestingettingmorelicensingfeesanddon’thavetopadtheirservicecontractswiththatextracost.Intheendthemaindifferencebetweenopen-sourceandproprietarysoftwarecompaniesmaybethesizeofthecheckyouhavetowrite. AccordingtothepassageMicrosoft
Text3 TheglobalreputationofJapan’sanimationindustry—ananimatedcartoonindustry—hasneverbeenhigherandatfirstglanceitwouldappeartobeinrudehealth.IntheopeningweekendofMiyazaki’snewfilmHowl’sMovingCastlearecord1.1millionJapanesecrammedintocinemasnationwide.Ithassincebeenseenathomebynearly10millionpeopleandhasmadeJapantheonlycountryinwhichTheIncredibleshasbeenkeptoutofthetopslot. YetJapan’sanimatorsarefullofgloom.TheyfearthatthefutureisbleakandthatthesuccessenjoyedbyMiyazakiandStudioGhibliwhichmakeshisfilmsisactuallymaskingasaddecline.IndustryexpertssaythatnotonlyistherealackofcreativetalentonaparwithMiyazakibuttheoverallstandardofanimatorshasfallenoverthepastdecadeaslowpayandpoorworkingconditionsforcemanytoquit."Miyazakican’tbereplacedhe’saone-off"saysJonathanClementsaBritishanimationexpert"Miyazakiisn’t100percentofGhiblibutwhenhegoesthepartyisover." ThecreativeandcommercialsuccessenjoyedbyGhiblihasaffordeditauniquebreathingspace.Forotherstudioshowevercommercialpressuresforceworktobedoneatbreakneckspeedandonshoestringbudgets.Veteransoftheindustrysayqualityhasbeensacrificedastelevisioncartoonepisodesaremadeforaslittleas￡10000. ManyyounganimatorsrelyonparentalsupporttoputthemthroughanimationschoolsandcontinuetoneedfinancialhelpjusttoaffordtoworkinTokyotheworld’smostexpensivecity.Yetremarkablyanimationhaslittleproblemattractingrecruits.Dozensofstudentsporeoverdeskspainstakinglyproducingpageafterpageofdrawings.MostsaytheyareawarethatpayislowbutdesperatelywanttoworkintheindustrytheyfellinlovewithaschildrenthroughcartoonssuchasDoraemonthebluetalkingcatandBattleofthePlanets.’ButrealityoftenbitesasanimatorsreachtheirthirtiesbywhichtimetheytypicallyearnaroundathirdoftheaveragepayforJapanesetheirageandatlowerhourlyratesthansupermarketclerks. Clementsbelievesthatthesoulofanimationisatstake."AnimationisbydefinitionfromJapanbutit’sonlyamatteroftimebeforethenumberofforeigncontributorstipsthebalanceandwhatusedtobeanimationbecomesplainoldcartoons"hesays."Itmayultimatelyremovemuchofwhatmakesanimationappealtoitscurrentforeignaudiencebase:itsexoticism." Thebesttitleforthepassagemightbe
[A]Inourtimewomenhaveanaveragelifespanofalmost80years;doubleofwhatitwasinthelastcentury.Motherhoodcanbepostponedandintheorymarriagecanbepostponed.WomenintheUSAarestudyingmorethanmenandtheymaybecomemainbreadwinnerinthenearfuture. [B]Manywomengothroughlifethinkingconsciouslyorunconsciouslythatamanwillsolvealltheirproblems"OncewearemarriedeverythingwillbeOK."Thisattitudeonlysetusupforfailure.Menarenotprincesreadytotakeanychallengetorescuetheprincesses;theyarehumanbeingswiththeirownneedsandfears. [C]CarriewaswonderinginherbedroomaboutthecontinentthatherfriendNewYorksocialiteCharlotteYorkmade"Womenwanttoberescued."Carriewonders."IsthattrueIsthattheonlythingwomenwantRescuedbywhomIftheprincedidnotkissSnowWhitewouldshehavebeenfrozenforeverorwouldshehavewokenupanywayandmovedon"Snow.Whiteprobablyhadnootherchancebutwedo. [D]Nowonderoursocietyhaschanged.Ontheotherhandourvalueshavenotchangedfastenoughandmanywomenmore.soHispanicwomenarejustwaitingtoberescuedbytheprinceThesewomenhavenotrealizedtheynolongerneedtoberescued;theyneedamanforotherreasonsnottotakecareofthem. [E]Womeninoursocietyhave.somanyoptionsthatwedonotneedanybodyelsetorescueus;wearetheonlyonesthatcanrescueourselves.Ifyouhaveareasofyourlifethatyouwanttoimprovegoahead;doitforyouandforyouonlyoracceptyourselfasyouare.Donotbe.sonaivethatyouthink.someoneelsecantakecareofallyourproblems.Lifedoesnotworklikethat.Livelifetothefullestbehappywithwhoyouareandyouwillseethatifyouarehappywithyourselfyouwillmakeothershappyincludingyourman. [F]Oursocietyhaschangedinaremarkablewayinthelast50yearsorso.Andtherearemanyreasonsforit.Atthebeginningofthe20thcenturywomen’slifespanwasabout40years.Thereforelifeneededtostartearlierifawomanweregoingtoliveforonly40years;motherhoodwasapriority.Menusedtoworkandwomenstayedathomeandtookcareofthemandtheirkids.Womencouldnotsurvivewithoutaman;womenneededtoberescued. [G]Womenarecaregivers.Wearestrongandsmartandwehavetheabilitytotakecareofourselves;wedonotneedtoberescuedbyanyone.Whenwearegivingourpowertoothersinexchangeforsecurityweaxealsogivingupourfreedom.Areyouwaitingtoberescued13oyoueverthinklikethat Order: 42
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 8
Text1 Theplanet’swildcreaturesfaceanewthreatfromyuppiesemptynesterssingletonsandoneparentfamilies.Biologistsstudyingthepressureontheplanet’sdwindlingbiodiversitytodayreportonanewreasonforalarm.Althoughtherateofgrowthinthehumanpopulationisdecreasingthenumberofindividualhouseholdsisexploding.Evenwherepopulationshaveactuallydwindled—insomeregionsofNewZealandforinstance—thenumberofindividualhouseholdshasincreasedbecauseofdivorcecareerchoicesmallerfamiliesandlongerlifespans. JianguoLiuofMichiganStateUniversityandcolleaguesfromStanfordUniversityinCaliforniareportinNatureinapaperpublishedonlineinadvancethatagreaternumberofindividualhouseholdseachcontainingonaveragefewerpeoplemeantmorepressureonnaturalresources.Townsandcitiesbegantosprawlasnewhomeswerebuilt.Eachhouseholdneededfueltoheatandlightit;eachhouseholdrequireditsownplumbingcookingandrefrigeration."Inlargerhouseholdstheefficiencyofresourceconsumptionwillbealothigherbecausemorepeoplesharethings"Dr.Liusaid.Heandhiscolleagueslookedatthepopulationpatternsoflifein141countriesincluding76"hotspot"regionsunusuallyrichinavarietyofendemicwildlife.ThesehotspotsincludedAustraliaNewZealandtheUSBrazilChinaIndiaKenyaandItaly.Theyfoundthatbetween1985and2000inthe"hotspot"partsoftheglobetheannual3.1%growthrateinthenumberofhouseholdswasfarhigherthanthepopulationgrowthrateof1.8%. "Hadtheaveragehouseholdsizeremainedatthe1985level"thescientistsreport"therewouldhavebeen155mfewerhouseholdsinhotspotcountriesin2000.Paradoxicallysmallerhouseholdsdonotmeansmallerhomes.InIndianRivercountyFloridatheaverageareaofaone-storeysinglefamilyhouseincreased33%inthepastthreedecades." Dr.Liu’sworkgrewfromthealarmingdiscoverythatthegiantpandaslivinginChina’sWolongreserveweremoreatrisknowthantheywerewhenthereservewasfirstestablished.Thelocalpopulationhadgrownbutthetotalnumberofhomeshadincreasedmoreswiftlytomakegreaterinroadsintothebambooforests. GretchenDailyofStanfordoneoftheauthorssaid:"Wealldependonopenspaceandwildplacesnotjustforpeaceofmindbutforvitalservicessuchascroppollinationwaterpurificationandclimatestabilization.Thealarmingthingaboutthisstudyisthefindingthatiffamilygroupscontinuetobecomesmallerandsmallerwemightcontinuelosingbiodiversity—evenifwegettheaggregatehumanpopulationsizestabilised." Thefirstparagraphmainlytellsusthat
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 16
Digitalphotographyisstillnewenoughthatmostofushaveyettoformanopinionaboutitmuchless1apointofview.Butthishasn’tstoppedmanyfilmandcomputerfansfromagreeing2theearly3wisdomaboutdigitalcameras—they’reneat4foryourPCbutthey’renotsuitableforeverydaypicture-taking. Thefansarewrong:morethananythingelsedigitalcamerasareradically5whatphotographymeansandwhatitcanbe.Thevenerablemediumofphotographyasweknow6isbeginningtoseemoutof7withthewaywelive.Inourcomputerandcamcorderculturesavingpictures8digitalfilesandwatchingthemonTVisnoless9andinmanywaysmore10thanfumblingwithrollsoffilmthatmustbesentofftobe11. Paperisalsoterribly12Picturesthatareincorrectlyframedfocusedorlightedarenonetheless13tofilmandultimatelyprocessedintoprints. Thedigitalmediumchangesthe14.Stillimagesthatare15digitallycanimmediatelybeshownonacomputermonitorTVscreenorasmallliquid-crystaldisplayLCDbuiltrightintothecamera.Andsincethepointsoflightthat16animagearesavedasaseriesofdigitalbitsin17memory18beingpermanentlyetchedontofilmtheycanbeerasedretouchedandtransmittedon-line. What’sitliketo19withoneofthesedigitalcamerasIt’salittlelikeafirstdate—excitingconfusingandfraughtwith20. 2
热门题库
更多
香港法概论
反间谍法
__学
合同法
证据学
民事诉讼法学
民法学
刑法学
消费者权益保护法
法理学
竞争法
国际公法
国际经济法
农村政策法规
行政法与行政诉讼法
仲裁法学
湘公网安备 43130202000226号