2026年真题22

Listen to a talk in a history class (woman) Before we say any more about textile production, let’s talk about the historical indigo trade, indigos, a natural blue dye coming from the leaves of Indigofera plants. Today you see it most often in blue jeans. Indigo was a staple export for hundreds of years. There was a time when only rice was more valuable. The English began importing it during the early 1600s from India, and British colonists started growing it in North America about a century later. Natural indigo nearly vanished from industrial use by the early twentieth century after German chemists invented a synthetic indigo. Of course, this was cheaper and more efficient in large-scale production, and for decades the natural stuff survived only in niche applications and local traditions. Today, indigo is back as a viable commercial crop in places like Bangladesh and the US. This is partly thanks to the fashion industry’s efforts to be more environmentally sustainable, and many now see natural indigo as a symbol of ethical consumption. Its value as a commodity also lies in its versatility. It’s also used in cosmetics and food coloring. Farmers find it to be low maintenance with high returns: one hectare can yield thousands of kilograms of leaves. The economic incentive is clear: minimal input, high output, and growing international interest. That said, the traditional fermentation techniques for extracting the dye are extremely labor-intensive, which makes natural indigo expensive, and some producers claiming natural methods still rely on harsh chemicals which undermines the dye’s ecofriendly reputation.

Listen to a talk on a science podcast (man) When you think of Siberia, you picture a cold place, but in 2014, Siberia had an unusually warm summer. The temp exceeded thirty-degree Celsius a couple of times. And also in 2014, a helicopter pilot flying over a particular area of Siberia spotted a strange crater, a cylindrical hole in the ground that was massive, twenty meters wide and fifty meters deep, really huge. Following the report, scientists investigated and found more such craters in the same area. It looked like stuff had just exploded from the ground, with materials flying out and landing hundreds of meters away. These explosions occurred in an area where oil and gas extraction take place, so they’re a real concern. What if an explosion happens near an oil or gas pipeline? What’s happening is connected to the warmer temperatures. Let’s back up. The region’s soil is permanently frozen. It’s called permafrost with pockets of ice in it. This permafrost is on top of an extensive field of underground natural gas. The ice and permafrost help hold the gas under the surface, but warming temperatures cause melting at the surface, so it can’t seal the gas underground as effectively. Also, when the ice in the permafrost melts, it leaves behind empty cavities where the ice used to be. What’s probably happening is the gas from below rises up and fills these cavities, building up the pressure. Eventually the gas bursts through and boom, a crater-causing explosion. These craters are called gas emission craters.

Listen to a talk on a music podcast (woman) Welcome to Echoes of Culture, where we explore how music tells the story of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating idea: how musical composition mirrors the societies from which it emerges. Music is more than just sounds. It is a reflection of cultural values, technological progress, and social change. Let’s rewind to the Baroque period. Picture the grandeur of European courts, ornate architecture, lavish clothing, and a love for complexity. Composers weren’t just writing music, they were crafting sonic tapestries that mirrored the opulence of their time, elaborate counterpoint, intricate ornamentation. These weren’t just stylistic choices. They were reflections of a society that valued structure, hierarchy, and beauty and excess. Fast forward to the twentieth century and the musical landscape shifts dramatically. Jazz bursts onto the scene in the United States, and it’s not just a new genre. It’s a movement. Born in African American communities, jazz carried the pulse of a society in flux. Its improvisational nature and blending of traditions spoke to a yearning for freedom, innovation and equality. Jazz became the soundtrack of the Civil Rights movement, echoing the struggles and triumphs of a people demanding to be heard. And it’s not just Western music that tells these stories. In sub-Saharan Africa, traditional music is deeply communal, less about individual display and more about shared experience. The emphasis on group expression is woven into the rhythms, the call and response, interaction between performers and audiences, and communal participation.

Listen to a talk in a social sciences class (woman) Have you ever wondered why certain urban neighborhoods flourish while others stagnate? A fascinating theory known as the creative class offers one explanation. Coined by sociologist Richard Florida, this concept suggests that cities with a high concentration of creative professionals, including artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs, tend to experience more significant economic growth and revitalization. The idea is that these individuals drive innovation and attract others like them, creating a vibrant, dynamic atmosphere. However, it’s important to note that such a transformation isn’t without its drawbacks. When these creative hubs thrive economically, it can inadvertently lead to gentrification. That is, it can cause rising property values and living costs. This often displaces long-standing residents who can no longer afford to live in their own neighborhoods. This process can erode the unique cultural fabric that made the area attractive in the first place. Despite this, cities continue to pursue the creative class strategy. They invest in cultural infrastructure like galleries and performance spaces to lure creative professionals. Yet critics argue that this focus on attracting the creative class might overshadow the needs of other community members, particularly those in lower income brackets. It’s a delicate balancing act that cities must navigate carefully, fostering economic vitality while ensuring inclusivity and equity. So, next time you stroll through a bustling urban district filled with lively cafes and art installations, consider the multifaceted dynamics at play that underpin its success.