题目内容

It’s the place where smart people make smart machines work even smarter. It’s also in the heart of sunny California, a great place to start a family and raise kids. What could be better?

But something is happening to their children. Up until the age of two they develop normally. But then everything seems to go backwards. The children become locked into their own small world, unable to communicate at all.

They call it the “curse(诅咒)of Silicon Valley,” but the medical name for the condition is autism(自闭症). It used to be thought that autism was a kind of mental illness. Now doctors are sure that it is a neurological disease transmitted genetically. It seems that the people leading the communications revolution are having children who cannot communicate at all.

But even the parents have trouble communicating. Asperger’s Syndrome is a mild version of autism. People who have it are highly intelligent and often brilliant with numbers or system but have no social skill. This very combination of symptoms makes Asperger’s sufferers into ideal computer professionals.

The Asperger’s sufferer has always been a well-known figure in popular culture. He or she was the eccentric but dedicated scholar or the strange uncle or auntie who never married. But the high numbers of such people in Silicon Valley mean that they can meet others who understand them and share their interests. And while they might not be personally attractive, they can earn truly attractive amounts of money. They can get married and have kids. Unfortunately, many of the children of two Asperger’s parents seem to be developing serious autism.

There is little anyone can do. It takes hours of work just to make autistic child realize that anyone else exists. And there is no cure in sight. Some argue that no cure should be found. “It may be that autistics are essentially different from normal people, but that these differences make them invaluable for the evolution of the human race,” says Dr. Kirk Whilhelmsen of the University of California. “To eliminate the genes for autism could be disastrous. ”

It seems that the children of Silicon Valley are paying the price of genius.

1.What is the best title of the passage?

A. The Price of Genius

B. Asperger’s Syndrome, a Mild Version of Autism

C. No Cure Should Be Found

D. Ideal Computer Professionals

2.What does Dr Kirk Whilhelmsen think of autism?

A.It is disastrous to society.

B.It is not completely a bad thing.

C.It is a punishment to those working in Silicon Valley.

D.People with autism should never marry.

3.What can we learn about autism according to the passage?

A.It is believed to be a kind of mental illness that can be cured.

B.People with autism can’t find people sharing their interests.

C.They do not care about the presence of others.

D.They are a burden for the society.

4.Why do people call autism “curse of Silicon Valley”?

A.Because autistic people live in Silicon Valley.

B.Because many people working in Silicon Valley have autism children.

C.Because people with autism will be driven out of Silicon Valley.

D.Because people with autism are not personally attractive and not liked by others.

5.What can we know about Asperger’s Syndrome according to the passage?

A.Asperger’s sufferers are ideal computer professionals.

B.Asperger’s sufferers never get married and have children.

C.Asperger’s sufferers are ashamed of themselves and locked into their own world.

D.Asperger’s sufferers can be beneficial to society if they are cured.

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Homestay UK/Great Britain

Here you will find a selection of homestay hosts and host families in the UK. If you want to learn more about the British host family of your choice, please click on information at www. Homestaybooking. Com. You will then see a personal introduction of the UK homestay host. If you don’t want to search yourself, just register for free and receive our matching recommendations.

Chika and Tara from London, the United Kingdom

Information about the homestay host

Chika is 28 years old. She is away from home most of the time. Tara is 18 years old. She is at home every day. They both speak English.

Chika and Tara’s guests can stay for at least 5 nights and up to a maximum of 365 nights. Chika and Tara have no children living at home. It is a non-smoking residence(住宅). No pets live in this household.

Information about the homestay accommodation

The accommodation is in London. The name of the neighborhood is Greenwich. The distance to the city center is 1.6km. The next access point to public transport is at 15 m distance.

Three guests can stay in Tara and Chika’s house at the same time. The following accommodation is generally available:

Single room with shared use of the family bathroom

*Size: 12.0 ㎡

*Facilities: desk, Internet access, mirror, hairdryer and wardrobe(衣橱)

*Price per night per person: £20.00 per night(one single)

Twin room with shared use of the family bathroom

*Size: 15.0 ㎡

*Facilities: TV, desk, Internet access, mirror, hairdryer and wordrobe

*Price per night per person:

£20.00 per night(one guest)

£17.00 per night(two guests)

The room charge includes the following services: Internet access, regular room cleaning, breakfast, free use of the washing machine.

Additional available service at an extra charge: Pick-up service(£60.00 one-way); Lunch(£6.00 per person per day); Dinner(£6.00 per person per night)

Vegetarian(素食的) meals are available.

1.Chika and Tara’s house would be a good choice for _______.

A. a pet lover

B. a heavy smoker

C. a person who eats no meat

D. one who needs a one-night stay

2.What do we know about Chika and Tara’s house?

A. It lies in the center of the city.

B. It is not far away from Greenwich.

C. Public transport is convenient there.

D. The distance from the house to London is 1.6 km.

3.If Mary chooses a twin room and pick-up service(two-way), how much should she pay per day?

A. £140. B. £137. C. £80. D. £77

When I first heard about geocaching(地理寻宝),I was skeptical. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like an interesting idea.I at least wanted to try it once.

Having familiarized myself with how the game works,I set out in search of my first cache. My trip took me through a series of lively hutong(胡同),past a number of small temples, and right into the courtyard of a quiet youth hotel.I spent several minutes looking around, but couldn't find anything. Just before l was about to give up,I spotted a colorful object in the crack of a wall. Could it be the hidden cache?

At that moment a group of backpackers amved. According to the game's rules, people who are not in the game must not be allowed to find out about secret caches. So I pretended to make a phone call while waiting for them to leave. When the coast was clear,I grabbed the object. It was the cache! I opened it and pulled out a crumpled(皱的)sheet of paper with several names and celebratory messages written on it.I added my own and replaced the cache in its hiding place, ready for the next geocacher to find.

It may seem like a simple game, but the idea that there are caches hidden all around us is exciting. Once you're hooked, it's easy to set yourself the goal of finding every single cache in a neighborhood or even an entire city. The real treasure, however, is not the cache itself, but the places it takes you to.

Hunting for further caches has since introduced me to places which I didn't even know existed. Some are peaceful parks, while others are forgotten historical sites.A few caches have even been in places I passed regularly without giving them any thought. Now,Ifeel a much closer connection.

1.What was the author's initial attitude to geocaching?

A. He thought it interesting.

B. He wanted to try it at once.

C. He showed little interest in it.

D. He found it unsuitable for him.

2.Where did the author find the cache?

A. In a hutong. B.In a temple.

C.In a well. D.In a hotel.

3.When a group of backpackers were approaching, the author____.

A. pretended to be cleaning the yard

B.made a call to other geocachers

C. didn't allow them to come in

D.tried to keep the cache secret

4.In what way does the author benefit from geocaching?

A. He's more familiar with the city.

B.He has found much treasure.

C. He has made more friends.

D.He has mastered hunting.

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