2026年真题35

Listen to part of a science podcast Renewable energy comes from natural processes that are replenished constantly, such as sunlight, wind, and water. They're an alternative to fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming. One of the most widely used forms of renewable energy is solar power. You might have seen solar panels on rooftops of private homes or small buildings that convert sunlight into electricity. These panels can last for decades. Obviously, they wouldn't work in places that are cloudy or rainy most of the year. Even in places with plenty of sunlight, no energy is produced at night. This means that you'll need to store energy for later use, But this requires batteries to be connected to solar panels, and these batteries can be expensive. Wind is another common renewable energy source. Wind turbines are large structures with blades that spin when the wind blows. They're typically installed in open areas like farmland and coastal regions. Why are they rare in residential areas? Well, when the blades of wind turbines slice through the air, they produce a swishing or whooshing sound. The faster the blades, the louder it gets. Imagine living near a wind turbine. Unlike solar panels, wind turbines require lots of maintenance. Oil changes, blade inspections, mechanical repairs. A lot needs to be done on a regular basis. Don't forget that some wind farms are located offshore in the open sea. Think about the extra expenses needed to reach these farms and the harsh conditions that need to be overcome.

Listen to a talk on a podcast about art. Today, we're going to explore the fascinating world of street art and its impact on urban environments. Street art, which includes graffiti and mural painting, has evolved from being seen as mere vandalism to being recognized as a legitimate form of artistic expression. Artists use public spaces to showcase their work, often reflecting social and political themes. One of the key benefits of street art is its ability to transform drab and neglected areas into vibrant and visually stimulating environments. Murals can brighten up a dull wall, adding color and life to a community. This transformation can foster a sense of pride among residents, encouraging them to take ownership of their surroundings. Street art can also serve as a powerful tool for social change. It provides artists with a platform to address important issues such as inequality, environmental concerns, and cultural identity. For example, artists may create pieces that highlight the struggles of marginalized communities. However, street art is not without its challenges. The legality of street art is often debated, as many artists work without official permission. This can lead to conflicts with property owners and law enforcement. Additionally, the transient nature of street art means that it can be painted over or removed at any time, making it a potentially impermanent form of expression. Despite these challenges, street art remains an influential aspect of contemporary urban culture. It allows artists to reach a wider audience and engage with the public in meaningful ways while transforming urban spaces.

Listen to part of a talk on a science podcast. Have you ever experienced a sudden change in mood after you eat a meal? It's plausible that your gut microbiome played a role in that emotional shift. OK, so the microbiome is an intricate network of bacteria, fungi, and various other microorganisms. Trillions of these tiny entities make up your microbiome. In recent years, our understanding of the microbiome has greatly expanded. We used to think of microbes primarily as pathogens, but we now recognize that microbes play an essential role in our health, right? So these microbes are integral to your health, influencing your immune system. A diverse microbiome acts as an implicit defense mechanism, strengthening the immune system against potential pathogens that could be harmful. And recent studies underscore the significance of a gut microbiome in how our bodies respond to infections and even in shaping emotions. Microbes in the gut synthesize neurotransmitters, chemical messengers such as serotonin. And you probably know, serotonin, right? Serotonin's a neurotransmitter that influences our emotional state. This interaction between the guts and the central nervous system reveals A dynamic relationship. You could even think of it like a finely tuned orchestra. As research into the microbiome advances, the possibility of manipulating gut microbes as a medical treatment, from addressing autoimmune conditions to enhancing mental health, becomes increasingly likely. So you might even imagine a scenario where doctors prescribe personalized probiotic regimens tailored specifically to your unique microbiome. This would be a fundamental change that could redefine personalized medicine.

Listen to a talk in an archaeology class. OK, let's go back to 1700 BCE, to a site now known as Poverty Point, located in what today is Louisiana in the United States. Imagine a bustling community of people building something so innovative that it would still intrigue us thousands of years later. Poverty Point is a testament to the advanced engineering skills of pre Columbian societies in North America. Now what makes this site so remarkable? The builders created massive earthen mounds, some arranged in concentric half circles. They made six rows of raised earth stretching across 1.2 kilometers. These mound formations aren't just random. What I find truly fascinating is that they show a level of planning and design that required significant understanding of geometry. Now, these structures were made without metal tools, wheels, or the help of animals like horses or oxen. Instead, builders used simple tools like baskets and their own hands moving huge amounts of soil. This was no small feat. The scale of collaboration and community effort required speaks volumes about their society's organization. Moreover, the site's location wasn't chosen randomly. It sits near the Mississippi River. Artifacts found at Poverty Point, like stones and minerals, can be traced back to sources as far as the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes. This demonstrates an impressive range of trade connections. Living so close to the Mississippi River meant these people were not isolated but were part of a vast network. In essence, Poverty Point defies our assumptions about ancient societies in North America.