阅读理解

　　Film cameras and digital cameras work in a similar way．

　　Film cameras

　　After all, a film camera is basically a light－proof(不透光的)box．It has a lens(镜头)system to focus light onto the film at the back of the camera．

　　Let’s suppose that we are outside on a beautiful summer day trying to take a picture of the family dog．We are using a film camera．We finally get the dog to lie still．You point the camera at him．What happens?Light goes into the camera lens and hits the shutter．In other words, nothing happens yet．Now let’s say that the dog looks really cute and you decide to snap a picture．What happens?When you press the button, the shutter opens for a very short period of time．A small amount of light passes through and hits the film at the back of the camera．This creates an upside-down and reversed(反向的)image on the film．

　　When you finish the roll of the film, you can take it to the photo shop to develop it and you will have a great picture of your dog!

　　Cameras come with different lens lengths．Why does it matter?Many small cameras have shorter focal lengths, which means that there is a small distance between the lens and the place where the light focuses at the back of the camera．This gives you a large view of the area you are taking a picture of．Lenses with a long focal length show a smaller area but allow you to focus on distant objects and make them bigger．They are often called telephoto lenses．A good example of a long focus lens is one that is used by sports photographers to get photos of football players as if they were standing right beside them．

　　Digital cameras

　　In digital cameras, the light falls not on film but onto a sensor(传感器)called a CCD(Charge Coupled Device)．This digitally converts(转变)light and color into a digital information or pixels(象素)．The CCD is the heart of any digital camera and usually the most expensive part－depending on how good it is．

阅读理解

　　Habits are a funny thing．We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine．“Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting creatures,”William Wordsworth said in the 19th century．In the ever-changing 21st century, even the word“habit”carries a negative meaning．

　　So it seems contradictory to talk about habits in the same context as innovation(创新)．But brain researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel paths, and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks．

　　Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, we can instead direct our own change by consciously developing new habits．In fact, the more new things we try, the more creative we become．

　　But don’t bother trying to kill off old habits; once those ruts of procedure are worn into the brain, they’re there to stay．Instead, the new habits we deliberately press into ourselves create parallel pathways that can bypass those old roads．

　　“The first thing needed for innovation is attraction to wonder,”says Dawna Markova, author of The Open Mind．“But we are taught instead to‘decide’, just as our president calls himself‘the Decider’．”She adds, however, that“to decide is to kill off all possibilities but one．A good innovational thinker is always exploring the many other possibilities．”

　　“All of us work through problems in ways of which we’re unaware,”she says．Researchers in the late 1960s discovered that humans are born with the ability to approach challenges in four primary ways：analytically, procedurally, collaboratively(合作地)and innovatively．At the end of adolescence, however, the brain shuts down half of that ability, preserving only those ways of thought that have seemed most valuable during the first decade or so of life．

　　The current emphasis on standardized testing highlights analysis and procedure, meaning that few of us use our innovative and collaborative ways of thought．“This breaks the major rule in the American belief system－that anyone can do anything,”explains M．J．Ryan, author of the 2006 book This Year I Will…and Ms．Markova’s business partner．“That’s a lie that we have preserved, and it fosters(促进，培养)commonness．Knowing what you’re good at and doing even more of it creates excellence．”This is where developing new habits comes in．

阅读理解

　　At present, in many American cities especially, many teachers in the public schools say they are underpaid．They point to jobs such as secretary or truck driver, which often pay more to start than that of a teacher．In many other fields, such as law, medicine, computer science, a beginning worker may make more than a teacher who has taught for several years．

　　Teaching has never been a profession that attracted people interested in high salaries．It is by history a profession that has provided rewards in addition to money－the satisfaction of sharing knowledge, of influencing others, of guiding young people．But in the past several years, there are more difficulties in teaching, for many, than there are rewards．

　　Unruly students, especially in big cities, large classes and a lack of support from the public in terms of money and understanding have led many public school teachers to leave the profession．

　　As a result, many of the best students, who would have chosen teaching as their life career in the past, are going into other fields．

　　Another reason for this change in teacher candidates is the changing status of women in the United States．Until the late 1960s and 1970s, one of the most popular choices for women was teaching．But as other professions, such as law and medicine opened up to women, women stopped pouring into teacher training programs．Thus, a major pool of excellent candidates for the teaching profession dwindled．

　　Bit by bit government officials and others realized that the status of the teacher had suffered．They talked about change．But the change in a vast society like the United States is not easy．People’s attitudes have formed over many years, and sometimes change takes many years．

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　　Hearst Castle is a palatial park on the central California coast and a National Historic Landmark．It was designed by architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst from 1919 until 1947．In 1957, the Hearst Corporation donated the fortune to the state of California．Since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park where the estate and its considerable collection of art and antiques are open for public tours．Despite its location far from any urban center, the site attracts roughly one million visitors per year．

　　There are several tours which highlight various parts of the castle and gardens．

　　●Tour One is recommended for first time visitors．It now includes the movie, Hearst Castle Building the Dream．

　　●Tour Two gives visitors a closer look at the main house’s upper floors, Mr．Hearst’s private suite, the libraries, and the kitchen．

　　●Tour Three looks at the Castle’s North Wing, guest rooms and guest house Casa Del Monte．

　　●Tour Four features the impressive gardens and grounds, the largest guesthouse, the wine basement, and the Hidden Terrace．

　　●The evening tour is a special tour that allows visitors to experience the Castle at night as one of the Hearst’s own visitors might have．

　　Hearst Castle accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover．Free day use parking is available for automobiles, motorcycles, tour buses and recreational vehicles．

　　*Children under 6 are free when accompanied by a paying adult．

　　While tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center upon arrival, tour reservations are strongly recommended and may be reserved online now or by calling 1－800－444－4445, see below for times．

　　Visit www.hearstcastle.org for more information.

阅读理解

　　Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature．However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment．

　　Some sports are resource-hungry．Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water．Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses(球场)in good condition．This causes major environmental effects．For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas．

　　There are many environment-friendly sports．Power walking is one of them that you could take up today．You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about resources and your purse．Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit．If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones．Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control．

　　Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials．But the final goal should be“green gyms”．They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers．Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces．There is no special requirement for you to start your membership．And best of all, it’s free．

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　　Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are a major cause of climate change, and now a new study has confirmed that atmospheric CO₂ is also affecting the ocean chemistry and potentially harming sea life．

　　Montana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for almost two decades．

　　“We’ve been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and characterize long-term change in the open ocean environment．And one of the key things that we measure is CO₂ levels．And we’ve been able to record this increasing quantity of atmospheric CO₂ into the ocean．”

　　Scientists expected that as atmospheric CO₂ increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a potentially harmful impact on shellfish and coral in particular．

　　“As carbon dioxide dissolves(溶解)in the water, or seawater in this case, it forms a weak acid(酸), carbonic acid,”Dore explains．“And therefore, as the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the pH down, and makes it more acidic．”

　　The seawater Dore and his colleagues have analyzed confirms what the theory predicts．

　　The effect was particular striking at about 250 meters down, and again at 500 meters．Dore and his colleagues came up with two possible explanations．It could be that surface water picked up CO₂ and then moved to those depths．Or there could be a biological explanation．

　　“It’s important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acidic．And it can have negative impacts on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral．It’s potentially catastrophic．”

阅读理解

　　If you are looking for a summer camp job opportunity, the following are some summer camp jobs available for 2010 summer．

　　Male 21+．Teach fishing and fly-fishing(用假蝇钓鱼)techniques．Live with 6-8 campers, teach basic outdoor skills, lead backpacking trips and assist with canoe trips．

　　Salary：＄2,400.00-＄3,000.00

　　Roaring Brook Camp for Boys

　　480 Roaring Brook Road

　　Bradford, Vermont 05033, USA

　　Contact：Dr．Candice Raines at(800)802-747-0282

　　2．Athletic Trainer

　　International Sports Training Camp is a specialized sports camp located on a private 100-acre lake in the scenic Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania．We are famous for our outstanding facilities, innovative(创新的)programs and friendly staff．We are looking for both students and certified athletic trainers．

　　Salary：＄2,500.00

　　International Sports Training Camp．

　　1100 Twin Lake Road

　　Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360, USA

　　Contact：Kara Klaus at(570)6202267

　　3．Head Cook

　　Manage kitchen staff of 4, order food and prepare meals and snacks for 50-60 campers and staff daily during sessions and training periods．

　　Salary：＄3, 000.00-＄4,000.00

　　Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies

　　HC 83, Box 38DD

　　Capon Bridge, West Virginia 26711, USA

　　Contact：Vini Schoene at(540)465-1516

　　4．Drama Department Head

　　Camp Airy(for boys)is seeking an experienced individual with a theater background and experience in directing children’s productions．Supervise counselor staff and direct two major productions in our 600-seat Outdoor Theatre．Our summer season runs from June 17 to August 18．Be sure to visit our outstanding website at www.airylouise.org．

　　Salary：Depends on Experience．

　　Camp Airy & Camp Louise

　　14938 Old Camp Airy Road

　　Thurmont, Maryland 21788, USA

　　Contact：Steve Goldklang at(410)466-9010

阅读理解

　　More teachers are starting off the school year with letters to parents and students to introduce themselves and set a tone(基调)for the year．The letters are a good way to start positive communication with parents, several teachers told Education World．

　　“I think it’s professional,”said Dorothy Peselli, an English teacher at Sparta High School in Sparta, New Jersay, Peselli, who gives out the letters the first day of school, told Education World．“It gives parents an image of you as a professional．If you start communication off in a positive manner, you will have the parents on your side when you need them．”

　　In her letter to parents, Peselli encourages them to call or e-mail her with specific concerns about their children．“I want to work as a team to make sure that your child becomes an independent lifelong learner,”Peselli wrote to parents last September．She also telephones the parents of all her students at the beginning of the year．

　　Peselli includes with the letter a classroom handbook(手册)listing plans and rules．And she requires that both parents and students read and sign statements(included in the letter)when they read the handbook．The student letter also lists needed supplies and gives encouragement．“Please come to class ready to work and learn．This will be an exciting year for all of us,”it says．

　　Last year, Peselli taught at a different high school and parents there were“shocked”, but appreciative, that she had so much contact with them．“I received roses and a thank-you note from one boy and his mother,”Peselli said．She wished her own children’s teachers would take the time to write notes as well．“I never got a letter home from any of my daughter’s high school teachers．”she said,“It would be nice to know the background of some of the people who are teaching my daughter．”

阅读理解

　　There was room for all of us, and the sleeping bags kept the night coldness away．We would listen to the sound of the river, and hear the coyotes(土狼)howling along the hills not far away．

　　Those were the cool summer nights of the mid-nineties in Southern Alberta, Canada, when the four children were young and we would lie on the trampoline(蹦床)in the backyard late at night, for the sun would not set till late in July and August．We would look at the stars up above and never grow tired of it．

　　These were the times when I would tell the stories of my own childhood and teach the kids life’s lessons that have been remembered to this day．I chuckle(轻声地笑), as I recall the time when we heard a coyote not far away, and then I started a story about a bear approaching the trampoline．The bear came close(in the story), and the kids snuggled up to mom and me, until suddenly I’d let out a howl and grab all the kids and they would be frightened and jump up and then all laugh,“Daddy, you scared us!”

　　Now the children are in their mid and late teens, but they fondly remember the starry nights on that trampoline．Recently my oldest daughter on her wedding day sang a song for her parents, entitled“I’ll always be your little girl”．She wrote the music and words and yes indeed：it included a memory of those starry nights．

　　I have learned as a parent that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children as they are growing up is the time to tell them stories, or if telling stories is not that simple, perhaps read them a story．They can read their own books, but telling or reading them a story will create a close relationship with pleasant memories such as those late summer nights under the starry sky．

阅读理解

　　Alone in the wilderness．Nothing but jungle．A world of shadow with the rays of light falling like blonde hair from the crowns of the giant trees．Jungle in the midday sun．Every- thing motionless．Not a sound from sky or earth．Complete silence．Only some coconuts falling, at long intervals, very far away．The world reduced to the soft touch of cool grass along my naked back, and a sweet smell of rich soil and vegetation．Stretched out with closed eyes beside my heavy burden of fruit and firewood, I enjoyed the feeling of fresh blood streaming through every part of my body and fresh jungle air filling every corner of my lungs．

　　Resting motionless, I could see the sun through my closed eyelids, alone in the sky, as lonely as I, and as motionless and silent as everything else．The earth had surely stopped turning and somewhere on this planet there was supposed to be roaring traffic in busy streets．What a crazy, unbelievable thought!

　　Another coconut fell, to make the world come to a complete standstill．I had to roll over onto my stomach to feel that at least I could move and make noises．Then I found company．A little brown ant was struggling to find its way with a bit of dry straw through the jungle of leaves and grass below my nose．I wondered if I could give the little fellow a lift with its burden, but it showed not the slightest sign of tiredness and struggled on with all six legs, head first or head last, waving its feelers energetically as if the trip had just started．Who ever saw a tired ant?Tiredness, disagreeable tiredness, is restricted to hunted animals, slaves and modern man．It is as great an effort for an office clerk to walk five blocks with a loaded briefcase as it is for a jungle-dweller to cross a valley with a goat on his back．It is as hard to get up and climb or run when you have been seated for years as it is to get up and walk when you have been in bed for months．The body is strange．Spare it, and you get really tired for almost nothing; use it, and almost nothing makes you really tired．

　　I rose to my feet．I had heard a horse neighing down in the valley．Above me, on the open highland plains, there were wild horses．But down in the valley there was never a horse unless there was a man on it．Somebody was making his way up the valley and my wife was alone．