下周就是达标日，这周学时刷的差不多了，效率也达标了，拿到达标奖学金基本是没问题的了。level6是刷完了，进入level7几乎都是TED原视频演讲，对我而言趣味性多了许多，有些甚至之前就看过。简直是守得云开见明月。好多人卡在level6就不想学了，level6是有点枯燥，但是其实是只要熬过level6就好了。

以下继续放笔记：

Level6 Unit3 Part1 Reading2

Depletion of fossil fuel

A number of scientists are emphasizing the tremendous challenges that will soon be faced when the depletion of fossil fuel supplies coincides with an alarming increase in the global population. They highlight agriculture which is heavily dependent not only on gasoline to fuel machinery, but also on the petrochemicals necessary to manufacture synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Without these petrochemicals, crop yields would be only a fraction of what they are today. To assume that an abundant source of renewable energy will address this challenge is to ignore the vital non-fuel uses of petrochemicals.

Then there is the challenge posted to the current levels of mobility.  As a fuel, gasoline is unrivalled in its portability. Electricity requires bulky batteries and hydrogen is notoriously difficult to store. Biofuels might seem like an alternative, but the energy consumed when converting corn into bioethanol, for instance, greatly exceeds the output when the fuel is utilized. In any case, once we reach a crisis in the food supply, it will not make sense to divert food crops to other uses.

Although there seems to be a widespread belief that the era of oil dependency is coming to an end due to some technological remedy, this may be mistaken. Relying on such an assumption can lead to complacency and a failure to take precautions. Experts may not be able to come up with the kind of solution that can lead to a pain-free transition. Scientists warn that relying on alternative resources might only support half of the global population. The absence of a realistic alternative to fossil fuels will mean that the first priority will be to curb the demand for food.

depletion  消耗，用尽

coincides with 与…一致

curb n, vt 限制，抑制\

complacency 自鸣得意，满足

portability 可携带 轻便的

dependency 依赖 从属

transition  过度

fraction  分数; 一小部分，些微; 不相连的一块，片段

somewhat 一些

somehow 不知怎么的，莫名其妙的

bioethanol 生物酒精; 生物乙醇; 燃料乙醇; 生质酒精; 生质乙醇;

gasoline 汽油

Level6 Unit3 Part1 Reading2

这一篇文是讲第二十二条军规的，所以我读完第一遍就去百度了背景，基本上可以算作原文翻译了。

第二十二条军规

《第二十二条军规》是美国作家约瑟夫·海勒创作的长篇小说，该小说以第二次世界大战为背景，通过对驻扎在地中海一个名叫皮亚诺扎岛（此岛为作者所虚构）上的美国空军飞行大队所发生的一系列事件的描写，揭示了一个非理性的、无秩序的、梦魇似的荒诞世界。 在该小说中，根据“第二十二条军规”理论，只有疯子才能获准免于飞行，但必须由本人提出申请。但你一旦提出申请，恰好证明你是一个正常人，还是在劫难逃。第二十二条军规还规定，飞行员飞满25架次就能回国。但规定又强调，你必须绝对服从命令，要不就不能回国。因此上级可以不断给飞行员增加飞行次数，而你不得违抗。如此反复，永无休止。 《第二十二条军规》揭示了美国社会对传统道德的背弃，已经成为一种美国式的“黑色幽默”主题。 同名电影《第二十二条军规》，于1970年在美国公映。 

One of the most interesting books of the 20th century was the novel, Catch 22. In the novel, the term “a catch 22 situation” was introduced. The term has nothing to do with catching anything. It has a much deeper meaning, and it describes a kind of logical conundrum that’s worth exploring.

First, it’s important to put the phrase into context. In the novel, a group of American bomber pilots is on an island in the Mediterranean. They face death almost every day when they fly their bombing missions. 

Many have already lost their lives. The remaining pilots know that it is only a matter of time before they will be the next victims.

One of the characters in the novel is a doctor. It is his job to see that the pilots are fit to fly. In particular, there is a rule that says he has to ground anyone who is crazy. To ground them means to remove them from active duty so that they don’t fly.

Some of the men believed in the principles they were fighting for. They were willing to give their lives for their country. But to others, this was crazy. They thought the whole thing was insane. One of them, Yossarian, wanted out. He was friends with the doctor, and he wanted the doctor to ground him.

When Yossarian asked the doctor to ground him, the doctor replied:” You’re wasting your time. You’re not crazy.”

Yossarian told him to ask one of the other pilots, Clevinger, to tell him how crazy he was.

“There’s no point. He’s crazy,” the doctor replied.

“Crazy people can’t decide whether you are crazy or not.”

“Clevinger isn’t crazy! He’s one of the sanest pilots here.”

“So he’s obviously out of his head,”said the Doc.  “He’s got to be insane to keep on flying combat missions after all the close calls he’s had.”

“Well, if he’s crazy, why don’t you ground him?”

“I can’t unless he asks to be grounded. That’s part of the rule.”

“So all he has to do is ask?”

“No, then I can’t ground him.”

“So there’s catch,” said Yossarian, trying to get things staight.

“Sure, there’s a catch,” said the Doc, with a slight smile.” Catch 22. If he asks, then he can’t be crazy. Only those tho are crazy are grounded.”

“That’s some catch.”observed Yossarian.

“It’s the best there is.” the Doc replied.

conundrum n.谜语; 难解的问题;

bomber n.轰炸机; 投弹手;

sanest 明智的，稳健的，心智健全的

combat n.格斗，搏斗，战斗; 〈美〉竞赛，比赛; 论战; vt.与…战斗; 与…斗争; 防止; 减轻;

 close calls 死里逃生

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Listening

Despite advances in technology, one of the biggest threats to human survival comes from primitive life forms. Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. These organisms have no access to education or technology, but they present a huge challenge to humanity. That’s because they are adaptable. Just as adaptability has helped humans survive, it makes it more difficult to control infectious diseases. As conditions change, the organisms which cause these diseases adapt and become stranger.

There are several kinds of infectious diseases. Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, are caused by bacteria. These infections can be treated by antibiotics, which kill the bacteria. Viral infections are caused by viruses, such as the influenza virus. These can sometimes be prevented by vaccines, such as the flu vaccine. An example of parasitic infection is malaria. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasites can be difficult to kill or control. And of course these parasites are also adaptable.

How serious are infectious diseases? Consider what happened in 1918, the influenza pandemic. It started in the fall of 1918 with what seemed to be something no more serious than the common cold. In the next two years however, it infected a fifth of the world’s population. In fact, it turned out to be the most deadly epidemic in history, killing between 20 and 40 million people. The influenza virus that caused it was much stronger than previous influenza viruses. Its mortality rate was 2.5% compared to 0.1% in previous influenza epidemics. It struck quickly and without mercy, sometimes killing people within hours. Schools and businesses closed in many places, and people wore masks to prevent transmission of the virus through the air. What was unusual about this pandemic was that it was most deadly for people aged 20 to 40, rather than the elderly and young children.

Now, a century later, we have flu vaccines that have reduced the severity of epidemic. These vaccines need to be updated every year because the virus changes and new strains emerge.

What researchers fear is that a new strain of the virus will develop and cause another pandemic.Once an outbreak occurs, transmission of the disease will be even faster than before. An unintended consequence of our improved transportation system will be the speed at which an epidemic can spread.Experts predict that public health systems will be overwhelmed and unable to react quickly enough.

So the best defence will be to prevent an outbreak from occurring. This will require global cooperation and sharing of data. It may also require changes in how humans interact with animals. Animals such as birds and pigs carry viruses that may mutate into a strain that can infect humans. Such a new strain could lead to another pandemic well before a new vaccine could be developed.Since diseases and epidemics don’t stop at national borders, this is a global issue requiring global action.The threat of a global epidemic is another example of why we must learn to live together.

 primitive 原始的

 infectious diseases传染病

antibiotics 抗生素

pneumonia n.[医] 肺炎; 急性肺炎

parasitic adj.寄生的; 寄生物的; 由寄生虫引起的;

infection n.影响; <医>传染，感染; 传染病，染毒物;

malaria n.<医>疟疾; 瘴气; 瘴疠; 痁

Viral adj.病毒的，病毒引起的;

influenza n.流感; <医>流行性感冒; [兽医] 家畜流行性感冒;

pandemic adj.（疾病） 大流行的; 普遍的，全世界的;n.（全国或全球性） 流行病，大流行病

(对比:pandemic是指大型的，造成严重后果的。很难控制的。全世界性的疾病。epidemic指有传染性的疾病)

mortality rate 死亡率

struck v.击打; 打（ strike的过去式和过去分词 ）; 攻击; 侵袭

strains Strain (biology), variants of plants, viruses or bacteria; 植物变异体，病毒或病菌。vt.拉紧，拉伤; 用力拉;n.血统，家族; 性格，脾气; 语气; 一段音乐;vt.拉紧，拽紧或扯紧; 尽量使力; 扭伤; 歪曲;

outbreak n.（战争，怒气等的） 爆发; 突然发生;vi.爆发;

overwhelmed v.压倒; 压垮; 淹没( overwhelm的过去式和过去分词 ); 覆盖

mutate  变异 

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Reading1

这篇主要是讲海蒂·拉玛发明了最早的wifi的核心技术。

Hedy Lamrr was born Hedwing Eva Maria Kiesler in 1914 in Vienna, Austria. By the time she was a teenager, she had decided to drop out of school and seek fame as an actress. She first appeared in a German film in 1930. She was attractive and talented enough to be in three more films in 1931, but it was her controversial film” Ecstasy” that brought her worldwide fame as an actress.

In 1937 she fled from her country and secretly moved to Hollywood, where she reinvented herself. She changed her name to Hedy Lamarr, with the nickname “ The Most Beautiful Woman in Films”. However, Lamarr defied the leading-lady stereotype by also pursuing an interest in mathematics and engineering. She soon took up inventing. Her earliest inventions included an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a carbonated drink.

With the ongoing World War, Lamarr was inspired to contribute to the war effort. She designed a radio guidance system for torpedoes. With the help of composer George Antheil, whom she met in 1940, she discovered a way to break up signals and transmit them over different frequencies.

Using a method similar to the way player pianos work, they designed a frequency-hopping system that would continually change the radio signals sent to a torpedo.While others, including Nikola Tesla, had explored similar ideas of frequency hopping, Lamarr and Antheil obtained a patent for their invention in 1942 for what would become known as spread-spectrumtechnology.

Although the U.S. Navy did not adopt the technology during the war, it was used during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. For decades Lamrr’s technology reminded behind the scenes, but ultimately it led to the creation of today’s spread-spectrum communication technology, such as WI-FI networks, mobile phones, GPS and Bluetooth technologies.

Lamarr and Antheil eventually received several awards for their lifetime creative achievements that contributed so much to society. They were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014, after her death in 2000.

fled 逃走，逃掉( flee的过去式和过去分词 );

defy(defied) v.蔑视; 公然反抗; 不服从( defy的过去式和过去分词 ); 向…挑战;

leading-lady n.饰女主角的演员

take up 占用; 开始从事; 接受（提议）;

torpedoes 鱼雷

frequency-hopping 跳频

spread-spectrum扩展频谱;

Cuban Missile Crisis 古巴导弹危机

drop out of school 退学

stoplight 红绿灯

adopt 采纳

behind the scenes adv.在后台，在幕后;

Level6 Unit3 Part2 Reading2

The internet and smartphones have changed the world and how we relate to each other.

Instead of meeting in person, we increasingly interface through handheld devices.In a sense, real people are being removed, replaced by technology and virtual friends. Some people even say that they prefer to confide in their virtual friends rather than their real friends!

AI, or artificial intelligence, is another technology that is highly disruptive. 

With AI, smartphones and other devices will have even more capabilities. They will be able to converse with us and tell us jokes. They may even become personal tutors, and replace our online human tutors. They will be able to do this because they will have access to our life histories. They will know what kind of problems we have, our preferences, and any content we want to learn or practice. They will be able to adapt to our needs and be available at any time. And all this will be at less cost than using a human.

In fact, the substitution of AIs for human labor has the potential to transform our world.

Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment. Many workers will become redundant, replaced by machines that can perform cognitive tasks better than people.

An even greater danger is that they will develop personalities and become more interesting than people. Work is already underway to produce AI companions for lonely people. Are these developments something to worry about or something to welcome? How are they different than developments in the past, such as the industrial revolution? Cars replaced horses; machines and industrial robots replaced factory workers.

Since the shift to AI is inevitable, the challenge for policy makers will be to help existing workers acquire new skills. Future generations must be prepared for a workplace populated by AIs that will continue to develop and take on new tasks. Are we up to the task?

redundant adj.多余的，累赘的; （因人员过剩） 被解雇的，失业的; 重沓; 衍;

interface 交流，界面  有interact的意思

confide vt.吐露（秘密、心事等）; 委托，托付;vi.吐露秘密; 信任，信赖;

In a sense 在某种意义上，在一定程度上;

disruptive  adj.破坏的; 分裂性的; 扰乱的;

substitution n.替换; 代替; 代用

cognitive adj.认知的; 认识的

underway adj.起步的; 在进行中的; [航] 在航行中的;adv.进行中;n.在航; 水底通道;

converse vi.交谈，谈话; [计] 对话，会话;adj.相反的，逆的，颠倒的;n.逆向; 谈话，会谈; 相反的事物; [逻辑] 逆命题;

disruptive technology 颠覆性技术

Level6 Unit3 Part3 Reading1

Media and technologies are reprogramming the human brain, changing how we think and live in significant ways. Nobody really knows how this will effect the future, and few seem to care.The tendency is to let it happen and go with the flow, despite warnings from some that all is not well. Nobody can stop progress. Still, it’s fun to reflect on changes to see what might be lost.

Looking back to classic movies and comparing them with what we have today, we see many similarities. However, there are major differences. In particular, classic movies succeeded with few if any special effects. The camera focused more on faces and expressions, like in the movie Casablanca.Violent actions were seldom shown in gruesome detail but were inferred from the situation. Storylines focused on character and personal dilemmas. Much was left to the imagination. And of course, sex was hinted at, but never shown, except in seedy theatres.

Some of the best movies took place in a single location, such as on a lifeboat or in a jury room. Would such movies draw an audience today?Those movies depended on writers who could build drama into the interactions between characters who had character. This required an interest in human psychology. It also required audiences to have a similar interest, who could empathise and be moved. Do those audiences exist today?

Those movies depended on writers who could build drama into the interactions between characters who had character.This required an interest in human psychology. It also required audiences to have a similar interest, who could empathize and be moved. Do those audiences exist today?

Flash forward to the present. So many movies are filled with fast-moving special effects, explicit violence, and lots of sex. We have become voyeurs, addicted to getting thrills through the experience of others. Subtle emotions? Psychological dilemmas? Or just plain excape! Of course, there have always been escape movies-Bollywood movies with stars dancing in the streets. It’s just the balance which has shifted.

Classical music and jazz played for more than a few minutes. People concentrated and took time to enjoy and savor it. But now, immersed in media, there is no time. Experiences are quick and shallow, measured by the number of likes. We flee into the noise, perhaps to escape from ourselves.

What do you think? Or has it always been this way?

gruesome adj.可怕的; 令人毛骨悚然的; 阴森的; 可憎的;

inferred v.推断(infer的过去式和过去分词 ); 间接地提出; 暗示; 意指;

 explicit adj.明确的，清楚的; 直言的; 详述的; 不隐瞒的;

seedy adj.粗鄙的；破烂的; 多籽的，疲倦的;

voyeurs n. ( voyeur的名词复数 ); 刺探隐秘者（喜欢刺探他人的问题或私生活）<贬>窥淫癖者（喜欢窥视他人性行为）

thrills n.强烈的兴奋、恐惧或快乐感( thrill的名词复数 ); 震颤感; 兴奋感;

jury room 陪审团休息室;

savor/savour n.滋味; 气味; 食欲; 特定的味道或气味v.; 有…气味; 加调味品于; 使有风味;vi.意味，带有…的性质; vt.品尝; 欣赏; 给…加调味品; 使有风味;

to savor something : to enjoy it fully

immersed in沉浸在; 沉浸于;

shallow 浅的

subtle adj.微妙的; 巧妙的; 敏感的; 狡猾的;

fleevi.逃走，逃掉; 消失;vt.逃离，逃避;

commentary n.解说词; 评论，评注; 注释，注解; 个人生平传记

（flee和escape对比：flee: 侧重逃时的急促状况,只用于过去时和现在完成时， 而 escape含达到安然逃脱的结果之意.如: He escaped from prison. He fled has native village to join the Red Army.）

Level6 Unit3 Part3 Reading2

The impact of technology is widespread and accelerating. Experts predict that 90% of the world’s population will connect to the Internet within ten years or less.Evolving technology has become an unstoppable force, reshaping our societies, ignoring national borders, and interconnecting economies. There doesn’t seem to be any way to control it. However, one fact is certain:our kids are at the center of it.

Today’s children are born into a digital world.

They use technologies and media from the time they begin to walk. Sometimes they have difficulty distinguishing between the virtual and the real worlds. In fact, children spend more time immersed in technology than they do with people, including their parents. It is estimated that they spend an average of 7 hours a day in front of some sort of digital device.

With the ever increasing amount and flow of information, digital proficiency may be the next survival skill. Therefore it is essential that children learn how to develop that skill without losing themselves in the process. Guiding them is a challenge we need to face.

First, we need to realize that with so much exposure to content, there are both opportunities and dangers. What and when is something appropriate for children, and at what age? Who decides? Media is so pervasive and accessible, yet there is no consensus about what is suitable. People have different perspectives, not only about content, but also about how to govern access.

Governments must also decide what controls are necessary. Policies must be put into place and standards set. Whatever the decisions, the consequences will be enormous.

It seems naive to sit back and let children make their own decisions and explore whatever captures their fancy. So technology has presented us with a huge dilemma that will shape the future. Without a doubt, it’s an issue that parents and governments will need to address. Not only children need to develop a digital intelligence, but so do each and everyone of us.

Evolving adj.进化的，展开的;

v.演变，进化( evolve的现在分词 ); （动植物等 ） 进化，进化形成

pervasive—inescapable adj.普遍的; 扩大的; 渗透的; 弥漫的;adv.无处不在地; 遍布地;n.无处不在; 遍布;

govern vt.治理; 统治; 管理; 支配（词或短语的形式或用法）;vi.控制，支配; 操纵;

consensus n.一致; 舆论; 一致同意，合意;the author’s attitude to AI technology:  

favourable

adj.有利的; 顺利的，良好的; 赞许的; 给人好印象的;

Level6 Unit3 Part4 Reading1

Technology  to make our lives better

Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone. This is possible because of the development of technologies which involve connecting the brain to a computer or other electronic devices. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear. The device has several parts. One part is surgically implanted into the inner ear. There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound. The other part sits behind the ear and works like a miniature microphone.

Another new device allows those who have lost an arm or a leg to control their artificial limb just by thinking. The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. Matt was paralysed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands.Hopefully, these commands would control the artificial hand attached to Matt’s arm. 

Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope. To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist. At that moment Matt made history. He became the first person to control an artificial limb by using a device surgically inserted into his brain.

Since the operation, Nagel has continued to test the technology and further investigate its capabilities. Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks. He can control a TV and even open emails. Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts. It is powerful evidence that technological advancements will improve our lives.

limbs=arms and legs

to stimulate=to activate

sensation n.感觉; 轰动; 知觉; 直觉;

miniature adj.小型的，微小的;n.微型复制品; 微小模型; 微型画; 微型人像画;vt.使成小型; 把…画成纤细画; 缩写;

paralysed v.使瘫痪[麻痹]( paralyse的过去式和过去分词 ); 使不能正常活动;

vicious adj.邪恶的，恶毒的; 有恶意的; 凶猛的; 有缺点的;

implanting [词典][医] 植入术

skull n.脑袋; 颅骨，头盖骨; 脑子; [冶] 渣壳，熔铁上的浮渣

electrodes n.电极( electrode的名词复数 

motor cortex 运动皮质（层

fist n.拳，拳头; 〈口〉笔迹; 掌握; [印] 指标参见号;vt.紧握; 握成拳; 用拳打;

surgically adv.外科手术上; 如外科手术般地

decodes v.译（码），解（码）( decode的第三人称单数 ); 分析及译解电子信号;

Level6 Unit3 Part4 Reading2

Investors Beware

When people talk about investing, they are always looking for the best advice. Many are willing to pay a lot for it. The problem with this, however, is that many financial advisors give the wrong advice.Ultimately, decisions must be made by the investor. Here are some guidelines that may help investors save a lot of money.

First, a key to successful investing is time itself. What makes many investors rich is that they have invested over a long time. This allows their investments to grow, even if they weren’t active investors. Unfortunately, most people don’t start saving enough until it’s too late. That lack of time limits the power of compounding.So the best advice is to start saving as soon as possible.

What about economic projections and earnings growth estimates? The truth is, nobody knows.What they really reflect are people’s feelings about the future. It’s interesting to note that someone who buys a low-cost index fund on average does better than someone who invests in an expensive fund managed by famous experts.With investing, simple and basic can earn a bigger return than complex and expensive. Sometimes the pros don’t know what they are talking about. They just talk as if they do.

What about risk and volatility? One thing for sure is that the stock market will fluctuate. Since 1900 one of the largest index funds has returned about 6% per year. Compare that to the average difference between any year’s highest close and lowest close which is 23%.When an expert tries to explain why the market is down, they are really trying to explain why the sun goes up and down.

And finally,beware! The financial industry is dominated by people whose only interest in your wealth is how much they can charge you.

Unfortunately, the louder a financial expert is, the more exposure he will get even though he’s often wrong. This is one of the most important things to know about finance. Don’t be misled by experts!.

Ultimately adv.根本; 最后，最终; 基本上; 郅

beware v.当心; 提防;

projections n.投影; 预测( projection的名词复数 ); 投掷; 突起物;

economic projections  经济预测

index fund 指数化证券基金

compounding n.组合，混合;v.调和( compound的现在分词 ); 使混合; 使严重; 调停;

volatility n.波动性

exposure n.暴露; 揭发; 公开; （商品等的） 展出