① . The beginnings of life provide scientists with some of the most difficult questions of modern science. Our knowledge of the development of cells, from which all forms of life are made, is not complete because we do not understand very well the conditions on our planet four billion years ago. Why and how did cells first appear? Was this very probable to happen under the conditions then? Might this happen in other places in the universe(宇宙)?     

② . A group of scientists at University College London are trying to answer these questions. They started by studying the ways in which the first cells on the Earth might have been formed. Next they will use a powerful new telescope(望远镜) to look at places far away in the universe. The scientists hope that the results will improve our understanding of the development of life on the Earth and help us to find similar conditions for life development on other planets.

③ . Dr Nick Lane, who is in charge of(负责) the University College London team, has suggested that 4 billion years ago warm water springs(泉) on the floor of the Earth’s ocean might have helped to create life. Each spring consists of tiny connected holes that water passes through. The team has created models of these springs with these holes in their lab. They have found that they encourage chemical reactions(反应) between hydrogen(氢) in the liquids(液体) that come out of them and the carbon dioxide(二氧化碳) in the sea water.

④ . These building blocks are not living themselves, but when there are enough of them joined together in the right way, they can make living things. Water in the system of springs moves the building blocks around until there are a lot of them in a small area. Things that look very much like real living cells can be made in this way.

Pompeii is an ancient city in Italy. It is famous for having been suddenly buried (埋葬) in 79 A.D. by a volcano located nearby named Vesuvius. Though thousands of people escaped, over 1,100 people were killed almost instantly in the extreme heat that was released by the volcano. They were quickly covered by small rocks, ash and dust from the volcano.

People began excavating (挖掘) Pompeii in the mid-1700s. Over the years, scientists have discovered more and more about the life of these people who were sadly frozen in time.

Archeologists (考古学家) have discovered theaters, swimming pools, gyms, hospitals and many different kinds of stores in Pompeii. They’ve also found restaurants, including about 80 “fast food” restaurants called thermopolia, which served hot food and drinks to people on the streets.

In 2019, archeologists working for the Archeological Park of Pompeii announced that they were working to excavate a well-protected thermopolium. Because the restaurant was in such great shape, they decided to excavate the whole area.

“This is so exciting,” said the director of the archeological park. “It is the first time that we are excavating an entire thermopolium.”

A thermopolium has a long, low counter with lots of clay pots built into it to hold its store of food and drinks. What was special about this one was that even the pictures on its counter walls were still in almost perfect condition—almost exactly the way people would have seen them thousands of years ago.

Some of the paintings on the walls show ducks and roosters—examples of the food that could have been served at the snack bar. They even found a duck bone in it.

The scientists discovered many large clay jars, which held food and drinks. Two jars held fish and pork. They also found a mixture of snails, fish and lamb, which they believe may have been some sort of soup.

At least one of the jars held wine. “It was so strong that we could smell it through our masks,” said one of the archeologists. They expect to learn even more about the contents of the jars once they are finished being carefully studied in a laboratory.

The archeologists say they are really just beginning to understand all that they can learn from this thermopolium. Because the site was so complete, they expect it to reveal (揭露) many more of the hidden secrets of Pompeii.

Unfortunately, most schools are closed due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. You all must be missing the learning environment of your school and the playful laughter of your classmates. Today let’s learn about the history of schools.

Schools are great places to learn new things, educate yourself and make lots of new friends. The school system is not new but has existed for thousands of years in ancient Rome, India and China. In fact, the concept(概念) of education dates back to the very first humans who ever live on Earth. Cave men and women saw the need to pass their skills, knowledge and values to the next generation to help them survive. But as time passed, a higher-level society formed. Humans understood that a large group of children would be better educated if a small group of wise adults taught them about various subjects. Based on this, the early concept of the school system took birth.

The early schools were more focused on developing fighting skills and passing religious(宗教的) beliefs rather than teaching modern subjects we learn today. In the mid-17th century, with the rise of the age of Enlightenment(启蒙运动), people started to realize the importance of exploration through reading, writing and mathematics. In 1642, Massachusetts became the first colony(殖民地) to require basic education and set up various schools for kids in that area. But the modern school system usually went to an American named Horace Mann who was the secretary of education in Massachusetts in 1837. After he visited Croatia and saw its education, he put forward his idea for the educational system of professional teachers who could teach students and organize basic lessons and was followed by other states in America quickly. For this reason, Mann is often called “The Father of the Common School Movement” .

And by 1918, every state had required students to complete primary schools and the system kept improving throughout the 20th century. It leads to the high-leveled system we enjoy today.