There are two main things that make aircraft engineering difficult: the need to make every part as reliable as possible and the need to build everything as light as possible. They are to be combined (结合).The fact that an aeroplane is up in the air and can't stop, if anything goes wrong, makes it perhaps a matter of life or death that its performance is completely dependable.

Given a certain power of engine, and so a certain amount of oil, there is a practical limit to the total weight of aircraft that can be made to fly. Out of that weight as much as possible is wanted for fuel radio instruments, passenger seats, or freight(货物) room, and, of course, the passengers or freight themselves. So the aircraft has to be as small and light as safety will allow. The designer must work out the normal load that each part will bear. This specialist is called the "stress(压力) man." He takes notice of any unusual stress that may be put on the part as a means against errors in production, accidental damage, etc.

The stress man's decisions go to the designer of the part, and he must make it as strong as the stress man says is necessary. One or two small parts are always tested to prove that they are as strong as the designer wanted. Each separate part is tested, then a whole one-for example, a complete wing, and finally the whole aeroplane. When a new type of aeroplane is being made, normally only one of the first three made will be flown. Two will be destroyed on the ground in strict tests. The third one will be tested in the air.

When a plane has passed all the tests it can get a government permission of flight, without which it is illegal(非法的) to fly, except for test flying.

The main difficulty of aircraft design lies in________.

A. the combination of lightness and reliability      B. the speed and cheapness

C. reliability and passenger comfort             D. its engine power and oil burning

The stress man's job is to work out ________.

A. how safe the plane is                         B. the load that each part bears

C. the possible errors made by designers        D. the amount of load the aircraft may carry Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. The total weight of an aircraft depends on the power of the engine.

B. An aircraft has to pass all the tests.

C. Permission of flight can be got from the government.

D. It is necessary for all the first planes to be tested in the air.

Mountaineers can be a pretty tough crowd—and among them the British Joe Simpson has legendary status. In 1985, Simpson set out to climb Siula Grande in South America. Shortly after he reached the peak, Simpson fell through an overhanging ledge of snow and broke his leg. At this altitude a broken leg means almost certain death, but Simpson somehow managed to drag himself across fields of ice and stone until he reached base camp eight kilometers away. He chose immediate goals, such as reaching a nearby rock, and then gave himself a time limit to get there. Over and over again Simpson broke the main task down into smaller goals.  

Break your main task into smaller goals. This is often the key to a successful plan to achieve challenging objectives that seem to be “mission impossible”.

Language learning, similar to mountain climbing to some extent, is a daunting task facing most language learners. However, learning from the above story, we can apply Simpson’s method to language study. My top tips for designing a study plan are as follows:

1. Understand what kind of learner you are.

Some people are “visual learners” and remember best by seeing pictures and visualizing things in their mind; others are “auditory” and are happy to learn by listening; “kinesthetic” learners tend to learn by doing things and experience.

2. Realize your own competence.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Which skill or skills are you going to improve most? Allocate your time to each skill appropriately. It is better to do a little every day than try to “cram” lots in a short space of time.

3. Write down your plan on a calendar.

Decide which skill and what area you are going to practice each day. More importantly, your plan should be specific and practical. Once you have a clear goal in your mind, write it down on your calendar. Each day you should carry out your plan according to your schedule. Do not delay or make up any excuses because you fail to complete your daily task.

Studying is like climbing a mountain and you should take one step at a time. At first sight, a mountain may seem extremely high and it is impossible for you to reach its peak. However, when you set out to climb it step by step you will find that it is not so difficult as you think. Similarly, it is also true in language learning. You can improve your language skills in each aspect step by step. Don’t be frightened by the seemingly hard task. Break it into smaller goals and you will fulfill your dream.

There are two main things that make aircraft engineering difficult: the need to make every part as reliable as possible and the need to build everything as light as possible. They are to be combined (结合).The fact that an aeroplane is up in the air and can't stop, if anything goes wrong, makes it perhaps a matter of life or death that its performance is completely dependable.

Given a certain power of engine, and so a certain amount of oil, there is a practical limit to the total weight of aircraft that can be made to fly. Out of that weight as much as possible is wanted for fuel radio instruments, passenger seats, or freight(货物) room, and, of course, the passengers or freight themselves. So the aircraft has to be as small and light as safety will allow. The designer must work out the normal load that each part will bear. This specialist is called the "stress(压力) man." He takes notice of any unusual stress that may be put on the part as a means against errors in production, accidental damage, etc.

The stress man's decisions go to the designer of the part, and he must make it as strong as the stress man says is necessary. One or two small parts are always tested to prove that they are as strong as the designer wanted. Each separate part is tested, then a whole one-for example, a complete wing, and finally the whole aeroplane. When a new type of aeroplane is being made, normally only one of the first three made will be flown. Two will be destroyed on the ground in strict tests. The third one will be tested in the air.

When a plane has passed all the tests it can get a government permission of flight, without which it is illegal(非法的) to fly, except for test flying.

5. The main difficulty of aircraft design lies in________.

A. the combination of lightness and reliability

B. the speed and cheapness

C. reliability and passenger comfort

D. its engine power and oil burning

6. The stress man's job is to work out ________.

A. how safe the plane is

B. the load that each part bears

C. the possible errors made by designers

D. the amount of load the aircraft may carry

7. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. The total weight of an aircraft depends on the power of the engine.

B. An aircraft has to pass all the tests.

C. Permission of flight can be got from the government.

D. It is necessary for all the first planes to be tested in the air.

A patent is the tool that can be used to prevent people from making, selling, offering to sell or importing the patented items without permission. According to the patent law, any person who “invents any new and useful process, machine, or composition (成分) of matter, or any new and useful improvement may obtain a patent.”

The law has described the limits of the field of subject matter that can be patented, and thus it has been held that the laws of nature, physical phenomena, and abstract ideas are not patentable subject matter. A patent cannot be obtained upon just an idea or suggestion.

In order for an invention to be patentable it must be new as described in the patent law, which also states that an invention cannot be patented if: “(a) the invention was known or used by others in this country”, or “(b)the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country”, (c) the invention was in public use or on sale in this country more than one year before the application for patent”.

Moreover, even if the subject matter sought to be patented is not exactly shown by the previous art, and involves one or more differences over the most nearly similar thing already known, a patent may still be refused. The subject matter sought to be patented must be fully different from what has been used or described before in the area of technology related to the invention. For example, the substitutions of one color for another, or changes in size, are not patentable.

56. We can learn from the text that a patent       .

     A. is a legal limit to the spread of most new inventions

     B. serves as an effective tool to protect inventors’ rights

     C. proves necessary when people want to invent something

     D. is a permit for using a new invention by the inventor

57. Which of the following can not be patented according to the patent law?

     A. A new computing tool.                                     B. A new packaging for a product.

     C. A new waste treatment method.               D. A new economic theory.

58. We can infer from the text that       .

      A. it’s not easy to put new inventions into production

      B. there are strict criteria for applying for a patent       

C. a patent will not be applicable in some countries

      D. the patent law differs greatly between countries

59. The author writes this text in order to tell us       .

      A. there are few inventions that can be patented          

B. how to avoid failing to get a patent for a new invention

     C. what can or can’t be patented under the patent law

     D. how to bring the patent law into force

D
Tales From Animal Hospital  
David Grant
David Grant has become a familiar face to millions of fans of Animal Hospital. Here Dr Grant tells us the very best of his personal stories about the animals the has treated, including familiar patients such as the dogs Snowy and Duchess, the delightful cat Marigold Serendipity Diamond. He also takes the reader behind the scenes at Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital
as he describes his day, from ordinary medical check-ups to surgery(外科手术).Tales From Animal Hospital will delight all fans of the programme and anyone who has a lively interest in their pet, whether it be cat, dog or snake!
￡14.99 Hardback 272pp Simon Schuster
ISBN 0751304417  
Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer  
Michael White
From the author of Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science, comes this colourful description of the life of the world’s first modern scientist. Interesting yet based on fact, Michael White’s learned yet readable new book offers a true picture of Newton completely different from what people commonly know about him. Newton is shown as a gifted scientist with very human weaknesses who stood at the point in history where magic(魔术)ended and science began.
￡18.99 Hardback 320pp Fourth Estate  
ISBN 1857024168
Fermat’s Last Theorem  
Simon Singh  
In 1963 a schoolboy called Andrew Wiles reading in his school library came across the world’s greatest mathematical problem: Fermat’s Last Theorem(定理). First put forward by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in the seventeenth century, the theorem had baffled and beaten the finest mathematical minds, including a French woman scientist who made a major advance in working out the problem, and who had to dress like a man in order to be able to study at the Ecole Polytechnique. Through unbelievable determination Andrew Wiles finally worked out the problem in 1995. An unusual story of human effort over three centuries, Fermat’s Last Theorem will delight specialists and general readers alike.
￡2.99 Hardback 384pp Fourth Estate
ISBN 1857025210  
68. What is Animal Hospital?  
A. A news story.            B. A popular book.
C. A research report.         D. A TV programme.
69. In Michael White’s book, Newton is described as        .
A. a person who did not look the same as in many pictures
B. a person who lived a colourful and meaningful life
C. a great but not perfect man
D. an old-time magician  
70. Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word “baffled” as it is used in the text?  
A. To encourage people to raise questions.
B. To cause difficulty in understanding.
C. To provide a person with an explanation.
D. To limit people’s imagination.  
71. What is the purpose of writing these three texts?
A. To make the books easier to read.
B. To show the importance of science.
C. To introduce new authors.
D. To sell the books.