2026年真题18

Listen to a talk in a Physiology class (man) You know, modern LED light bulbs have really changed the way we light our homes and workplaces. They’re extremely energy efficient, but before LEDs took over, incandescent bulbs were the norm for everyday lighting needs. Incandescent bulbs give off a warm, full spectrum glow, including the wavelength called near infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. Now, LEDs are designed to shine in the visible range, about 400 to 700 nanometers, a relatively narrow band of the spectrum, which is great for saving energy and thus for reducing costs. But by cutting out near-infrared from the artificial light we’re exposed to, we might be missing out on some subtle but important health benefits. Research suggests that exposure to near-infrared light may support cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and even boost your mood, kind of like the light from a campfire or a bright sunny day. Incandescent bulbs, though less efficient, might offer physiological benefits that LED lack. Despite these limitations, LED bulbs remain a popular and practical choice. But the question is, are the downsides worth it? Many experts say no, and they’re advocating instead for advanced LED systems that bring near-infrared back into the mix. Such systems do exist, but they’re pricey, sometimes ten times more than regular LEDs. So, for now at least, they’re mostly used in specialized medical settings.

Listen to a talk on an art podcast (man) Imagine stepping into a gallery where the walls don’t just display art, they move with you. One moment a sculpture spins gently in the breeze, the next, a panel shifts as you walk by. Welcome to the world of kinetic art, a mesmerizing fusion of motion and visual storytelling. Born in the early twentieth century, kinetic art is still pushing boundaries, constantly redefining what art can be. Unlike static paintings or marble sculptures, kinetic pieces come alive. Think of Alexander Calder’s Mobiles delicately balanced to sway with the air. Or Theo Jansen’s strand beest, giant wind-powered creatures that walk across beaches like living machines. These works don’t just sit there. They respond. They evolve. Hungarian artist Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, one of the movement’s pioneers, believed light and motion could transform how we experience art. Moholy-Nagy created a ground-breaking piece called Light Space Modulator, a motorized sculpture of spinning metal and glass, more of a performance than an object. But kinetic art isn’t all smooth sailing. Incorporating motors and sensors means dealing with breakdowns, software glitches and constant upkeep. Some critics argue that the tech can overshadow the artistry, turning installations into flashy gimmicks. Still, the genre thrives. From interactive digital landscapes to whimsical mechanical sculptures, kinetic art invites us into a multisensory experience, one that’s immersive, unpredictable and unforgettable.

Listen to a talk in an art history class (man) Let’s step into the curious world of trompe l’oeil, a painting technique that doesn’t just play with perspective, it plays with you perception. The term, French for deceive the eye, hints at its magic: paintings so convincing they make you question what’s real. Trompe l’oeil paintings often look three-dimensional and blur the boundaries between what’s real and what isn’t. Though its roots stretched back to ancient Greece and Rome, trompe l’oeil truly flourished during the Renaissance. Artists like Andrea Mantegna used the technique to make ceilings look like open skies, creating the impression that rooms were open to the heavens. By the seventeenth century, trompe l’oeil had become a popular form of interior decoration. Consider the work of Dutch artist Samuel van Hoogstraten, whose paintings gave viewers the illusion of stepping into another room or looking through a window. These paintings play tricks on the viewer’s sense of space and depth, creating a sense of wonder. Not everyone is enchanted. Some view trompe l’oeil as a clever trick, technically impressive but emotionally hollow. It’s a fair critique. When art leans heavily on illusion, it risks being seen as spectacle rather than substance. Still, the technique endures, and today’s artists push it further, using digital tools to bend reality in ways that go beyond paint and canvas. Trompe l’oeil isn’t just about fooling the eye anymore, it’s about challenging how we see.

Listen to a talk in a biology class (woman) Human activities produce large amounts of organic waste, like food scraps, yard waste, and paper products. This waste can build up as trash. We can put it in landfills, but there it decomposes anaerobically, meaning with oxygen. Anaerobic decomposition results in the release of methane, a gas that significantly contributes to undesirable global warming, but we have an alternative to landfills, composting. In composting, organic waste is broken down in special conditions by microorganisms, fungi, and sometimes insects. These organisms break down organic material into a dark, crumbly, earthy smelling substance called humus. Unlike decomposition in landfills, composting occurs aerobically, or with oxygen, and therefore it doesn’t produce methane gas. To compost effectively, you need the right balance of four things. One is nitrogen-rich materials, also known as greens, things like fruit and vegetable scraps. The second one is carbon-rich materials, or browns, like dry leaves, wood chips and paper waste, and you also need water and air. So, the process does require proper management. Human, the primary product of composting, is full of essential nutrients. Adding it to soil enhances plant growth and increases agricultural yields. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Human enriches soil also provides a habitat for microorganisms, insects, and worms that, in turn, help decompose organic material and maintain soil health. This creates a virtuous circle of soil. In contrast, while chemical fertilizers can boost agricultural productivity in the short term, they are harmful to these beneficial organisms. They can actually damage the soil in the long run by killing the helpful organisms living in it.