An exercise method (Gyrotonics) designed to stretch muscles and improve strength and balance is becoming popular in the United States. Here's more about Gyrotonics and the man who invented this special form of exercise.

Gyrotonics is a kind of exercise that combines the movements of dancing and swimming with the mental and physical practice called yoga. It helps lengthen muscles, improve balance, and exercise the joints, the parts of the body where bones are joined.

A Hungarian dancer named Juliu Horvath developed this special form of exercise. After he was injured in dancing, Mr. Horvath studied yoga intensely. In the 1980s, he developed a new exercise method as a special kind of yoga to strengthen dancers.

According to Mr. Horvath, his method was based on the octopus(章鱼)，monkey and cat. He says these animals have no restrictions. They can move in any direction the Gyrotonic movements to help the human body move more freely.

A special machine made of wood and weights(砝码) helps guide the body through the Gyrotonics exercises. You sit or lie on a flat board. You put your legs or hands through special cloth handles attached to a line with weights. With the tension created by the weights, you must try to move through the exercises.

Seven kinds of backbone movements form the base of Gyrotonics. For example, you can stretch your back to the left and right or forward and backward. While moving your back, you can also work on arm or leg motions. These movements must be done in a smooth way. Often the motions are circular(圆形的)。

When Juliu Horvath first developed Gyrotonics, he was the only teacher. Since then, he has taught almost 70 trainers. Now, there are more then 800 official schools in the world where you can learn Gyrotonics.

1.This passage mainly focuses on _____.

A．A successful life of Horvath                B．A popular kind of exercise

C．Some advice on health care               D．Some uses of a special machine

2.According to the passage, what made it possible for Horvath to develop Gyrotonics?

A．His dancing-related injury.                 B．His failure in practicing yoga.

C．His good skills of dancing                  D．His wish to be a Gyrotonics trainer.

3.What do you think inspired Horvath in developing Gyrotonics?

A．His experience in dancing.                B．His use of a special machine.

C． The movements of some animals.          D．The ideas from many trainers.

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A．Many Americans have improved their health through Gyrotonics.

B．In a way, Gyrotonics is an exercise that comes from yoga.

C．You only have to move your backbone when doing the exercise.

D．Gyrotonics courses can be found in most countries worldwide.

 

A chocolate printer that allows sweet lovers to create 3D desserts by themselves is to go on sale at a cost of 2,500 pounds.

The machine squirts (喷射) out chocolate and, via computer instructions, allows the user to build any shape they like out of the food. But makers Choc Edge have missed the Easter rush. Even so, they hope the printer will be snapped up by retailers (零售商) immediately they come to the market. Britain’s biggest chocolatiers Thornton’s have already said they are interested. Because of the high cost, however, few individuals are likely to buy one. But the devicecould one day allow people to design their own 3D objects after submitting their designs on a website. Dr Hao, founder of Choc Edge came up with a prototype (原型) last year and has only just perfected it so that it can now go on sale. “We’ve improved and simplified the machine, so now it is really easy to use,” he told the BBC. “You just need to melt some chocolate, fill a syringe (注射器) that is stored in the printer, and get creative printing of your chocolate.”     

3D printing is a technology where a three dimensional object is created by building up successive layers of material. The technology is already used in industry to produce plastic and metal products, but this is the first time the principles have been applied to chocolate. The research has presented many challenges. Chocolate is not an easy material to work with because it requires accurate heating and cooling cycles. Dr Hao said, “What makes this technology special is that users will be able to design and make their own products. From reproducing the shape of a child’s favourite toy to a friend’s face, the possibilities are endless. It could be developed to help consumers design many products from different materials, but we’ve started with chocolate as it is easily available, low cost and harmless.” “There is also no wastage as any spoilage (损坏物) can be eaten.” Dr Hao added, “Eventually we may see many mass-produced products replaced by unique designs created by the customer.”[来源:]

EPSRC chief executive Professor Dave Delpy said, “This is a good example of how creative research can be applied to create new manufacturing and retail ideas. By combining developments in engineering with the commercial potential of the digital economy，We can see the new market prospect (前景)—creating new jobs and, in this case, the chocolate printer is called sweet business opportunities.”

1.Which is the advantage of the chocolate printer?

A．It is easilyavailable, low cost and harmless.

B．It mainly produces children’s favourite toys.

C．The user can build the shape they like via computer instructions.

D．The designs made by it are the same as many mass-produced products.

2.What can we conclude from the passage?

A．The printer sold well during last Easter.

B．The technology of 3D printing promises a good future.

C．The printer was perfected and went on sale many years ago.

D．It’s the first time that the technology has been used in industry.

3.Dave Delpy’s attitude towards the chocolate printer is __________.

A．doubtful

B．supportive

C．negative

D．critical

4.We can conclude that this passage is a __________.

A．science fiction

B．book review

C．news report

D．travel guide

 

课文填空（共9小题；每小题1分，满分9分）

_____1______ a calculating machine, I could__2______ difficult sums. I developed slowly for hundreds of years until I was made to work as a “universal machine”. From then on, I grew ____3_______  both in____4______ and in brainpower .Then as my memory improved, I changed my ____5_______ to a much smaller one. But I have to stand there by myself, feeling so ______6_____ . Since the 1970s, many new applications _____7______ (find) for me and I have become very important in communication, financeand trade. To provide humans with a life of high____8_____ is what I am all about. I am really proud that I am a_____9_____  friend and helper of the human race.

 

When 7-year-old Warren Buffett said, “I will be the richest man one day,” his friends made fun of his “daydreaming”. But ever since then the little boy has set about learning how to make money by selling drinks, delivering newspaper and buying stocks. The American had already earned $9,000 (equal to $90,000 today) by the time he graduated from the high school.

And this month the 78-year-old, who earned his fortune by making a lot of sound investment in the stock market, took the place of Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, as the world’s richest man. Gates’ worth declined $1.5 billion to $55.5 billion in 33 days after the recent financial storm, according to Forbes Magazine.

Buffett, the only son of a stockbroker, was ready to think outside the box to develop his business from a very early age. At 8, he went to golf courses collecting and selling the used balls. At 11 when he sold soda pop door-to-door with a friend, the pair collected lids on streets to judge which flavor was the most popular.

As a paper boy during high school, Buffett delivered two competitor papers, so that even when customers canceled one of the subscriptions (订阅) , he could still make a profit from the other. With his paper delivery savings, Buffett bought 162,000 square meters of farmland and collected rent. Young Buffett stepped into the stock market at 11 but earned only $5. The experience taught him one of the virtues（优点）in investing patience.

After graduating from university, Buffett started his venture with stocks with his childhood earnings and money from friends. He researched the stocks and just bought those of solid companies that were undervalued and inexpensive at the time. By sticking to companies such as American Express and Coca-Cola, Buffett has become rich.

“Learning is important to Buffett’s success. He is a learning machine who can spend his entire day reading. He keeps learning from books, street smarts and investigation, from both success and failure. In this way, he over achieved his aptitude (能力),” said Charlie Munger, his longtime business partner.

1.The passage is mainly about_____.

A．why Buffett took the place of Bill Gates as the world’s richest man

B．what effect Buffett’s childhood experiences have on his success

C．how Buffett earned his fortune and achieve his aptitude

D．what Buffett dreamt about when he was a child

2.How did Buffett behave at the stock market?

A．He will buy the stock whose price is lower than its value.

B．He often prefers some inexpensive stocks.

C．He always borrows money from his friends to buy stocks.

D．He will sell the stock if its price doesn’t go up.

3.Which is the main factor that determines Buffett’s success?

A．His desire to learn.

B．His family background.

C．His education.

D．His cooperation with his partner.

4.What can we infer from the passage?

A．Buffett is an immediate success in the stock market

B．Buffett and Gates are business partners.

C．His father helped him a lot in his business.

D．Buffett has a good sense of business.

 

–What’s that noise?

–Oh, I forgot to tell you. The new machine ______.

A. was tested     B. will be tested   C. is being tested   D. has been tested