上外版（2020）高中英语必修一Week 12 提升卷练习

We certainly look different. The most obvious differences between boys and girls are our bodies, inside and out. For example, can men have babies? Can women grow beards?

In the 1800s, scientists developed a theory called craniology (头骨学), which said that intelligence could be measured by skull size. Men have bigger skulls than women. So men must be smarter, people thought.  No one encouraged them to go on in school. Some doctors even said women who went to college would no longer be able to have children! Of course, now we know these beliefs aren’t true.

In the 1950s, psychologists gave girls and boys science tests to see if they could tell who was smarter. On average, the girls did worse than the boys.  But is this really true? Instead of measuring natural ability, maybe the tests revealed something about the conditions under which children were being taught. Parents and teachers didn't expect girls to do well in math or science, and so they didn’t encourage them. In class, teachers focused their attention on boys.

As scientists continue to investigate, they have discovered that boys do seem to be better than girls at something called spatial rotation (空间转动）. Girls, on the other hand, do better on some tests of vocabulary and language. Why? Studies have shown that parents treat boys and girls differently as soon as they’re born.

They often give girls dolls to play with, while they more frequently give boys blocks. Playing with blocks helps children develop spatial skills. So without meaning to, adults might be helping boys develop better spatial skills. And maybe they talk to girls more, which helps girls with those vocabulary words.

Laptop computers are popular all over the world. People use them on trains and airplanes, in airports and hotels. These laptops connect people to their workplace. In the United States today, laptops also connect students to their classrooms.

Westlake College in Virginia will start a laptop computer programme that allows students to do schoolwork anywhere they want. Within five years, each of the 1, 500 students at the college will receive a laptop. The laptops are part of a $10 million computer programme at Westlake, a 110－year－old college. The students with laptops will also have access (接近) to the Internet. In addition, they will be able to use e－mails to "speak" with their teachers, their classmates, and their families. However, the most important part of the laptop programme is that students will be able to use computers without going to computer labs. They can work with it at home, in a fast－food restaurant or under the trees—anywhere at all!

Because of the many changes in computer technology. laptop used in higher education, such as colleges and universities, is workable. As laptops become more powerful, they become more similar to desktop computers. In addition, the portable computers can connect students to not only the Internet, but also libraries and other resources. State higher education officials are studying how laptops can help students. State officials are also testing laptop programmes at other universities, too.

At Westlake College, more than 60 percent of the staff(职员) use computers. The laptops will allow all teachers to use computers in their lessons. As one Westlake teacher said, "Here we're in the middle of Virginia and we're giving students a_window_on_the_world. They can see everything and do everything. "

The 21st century is dominated by more technology-oriented inventions than before. The 20th century (see) man land on the moon. The 21st century will witness man landing on several planets. The first will be Mars, also (call) the Red Planet. As planned by NASA, the mission can be achieved by 2030. That will set a precedent(先例) for explorations by future generations. Furthermore, increased investment in research is likely (lead) to the discovery of a vaccine for AIDS.

Technology is advancing fast. Social media at present acts as one of the leading64 (source) of news and interaction, has a negative influence on traditional media, (particular) print newspapers. Social media will soon take over the market.

Mobile phones will play a greater role the purchase of goods, as well as the withdrawing and depositing of money. Electronic money will replace paper money. In addition, with declining oil reserves across the world, electric cars will replace petrol cars in a few decades. As  result, there will be a major shift in job trends.

Global warming will become an even (big) problem, with sea levels (continue) to rise. Freshwater sources will be polluted. Fresh water will become a major issue. Hence environmental destruction will increase greatly.

文章须包括以下要点：

节电：及时关闭电灯、电脑等用电设备

节水：随手关闭水龙头；废水利用

节纸：纸张再利用

补充：自己日常生活所感所为