My friend, Jack, was a taxi driver. We became friends quite by accident. Five years ago, I made a trip to Chicago. The moment I stepped into a cab, I realized it was different. The floor was covered with a rug (小地毯). There were small reproductions of paintings by Van Gogh inside the cab. And the windows were spotless. I told the driver I had never ridden in a more attractive taxi.
“I like to hear my passengers say that,” he replied. “How long have you been decorating your cab?” I asked. “It’s not mine,” he said. “It’s a company cab. I hit upon the idea years ago when I worked as a clean-up man for the taxi company. Each car that came in at the end of the day was like a garbage pit. Cigarette butts and matches covered the floor. Sticky stuff like peanut butter was on the seats or door handles. I thought that if the company and the drivers would give people a car worth keeping clean, they might be more considerate. ”
“As soon as I got my taxi license, I tried out my ideas. I put a lot of extra decorations into the cab they gave me to drive. I got a nice rug and some flowers. When each passenger got out, I checked to make sure that everything was in order for the next fare. After about a month of my bringing in a spotless cab, the boss reserved the same car for me each day. That was when I put up the reproductions of great paintings.”
“I’ve never been disappointed by people in the past ten years—no garbage. Like I say, people appreciate beautiful things. If we planted more flowers and trees in the city and made the buildings more attractive, more people would tend to keep the city clean.”
Later, we became good friends. I was impressed by the taxi-driver, who had hit on a great truth—a sense of beauty comes with the gift of life. Most people don’t have to be instructed about the rarity of beauty. They respond when they find it. And, if they are made to feel a part of it, they will try to add to it.
1.What made the writer surprised when he got into the taxi?
A. The beautiful decoration on the rug.
B. The style of decoration outside the taxi.
C. The masterpieces of well-known painters.
D. The impressive inner environment of the taxi.
2.Jack got the idea of decorating the cab when _______.
A. he got his taxi license
B. the boss reserved the same car for him each day
C. he served as a clean-up man for the taxi company
D. he found the taxi he cleaned was full of cigarette butts
3.What does the story mainly tell us?
A. People can easily make friends when taking a taxi.
B. When people find beauty in life, they will try to add to it.
C. If we plant more flowers and trees, we can keep the city clean.
D. We have to be taught to find beauty and make it more beautiful.
Have you ever realized that the smallest countries in the world have so much to offer? Whether it’s historic and cultural heritage or unspoiled nature, these microstates are worth a visit.
Grenada
Grenada is a small country in the world. It is located on island of Caribbean, which is also known as The Island of Spice for several spices like cinnamon, ginger and rare nutmeg. Grenada relies on tourism. Its pristine beaches, warm turquoise water and unspoiled nature make it a wonderful holiday destination. Recently ecotourism has been growing as well.
San Marino
Located within Italy and surrounded by the Apennine Mountains. San Marino is visited by approximately 2 million tourists annually. It’s a beautiful country, which also claims to be the oldest surviving state in the world! Therefore its cultural and historic heritage is undoubtedly fascinating. Although very small, the microstate has a lot of architectural attractions as well as the Romagna, which is loved by Italians, who are among the main guests here.
Maldives
Maldives is located on the bank of Indian Ocean. Maldives has a range of different habitats including deep sea, shallow coast, and reef ecosystems, fringing mangroves, wetlands and dry lands. Visitors to the Maldives do not need to apply for a pre-arrival visa, regardless of their country of origin, provided they have a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and the money to be self-sufficient while in the country.
Andorra
It’s a picturesque microstate found in the Pyrenees Mountains, bordering Spain and France. Over 10 million tourists visit Andorra every year! Unlike the neighboring countries’ high prices, the country has a duty-free policy, allowing shoppers to enjoy lower costs. Also there are winter and summer resorts, so you can visit anytime.
1.Who might be interested in Grenada?
A. Architects. B. Spice lovers.
C. Historians. D. Mountain climbers.
2.Which of the following is a good choice for people who like building design?
A. Maldives. B. San Marino.
C. Andorra. D. Grenada.
3.What is not required for a traveler to Maldives?
A. Money. B. A passport.
C. A visa. D. A return ticket.
4.What measure has Andorra taken to attract travelers?
A. Offering lower prices. B. Adopting visa-free policy.
C. Setting natural habits. D. Developing scenic spot.
单词填空
1.You must try hard for the g__________ (利益) of the team.
2.He glanced _______ his shoulder to see if he was being followed.
3.The new law will soon come ___force. 新的法律将很快生效。
4.He finished the job _________________ the expense of his health.
5.Are you quite independent _______ your parents now?
6.The book is intended ______ children.
7.Traffic was_______（中断；阻断）by floods.
8._________________(judge) from her accent, she must be from Sichuan.
9.Never look down _________ people less superior than you.
10.He inspires me to major _______ English in college, to be a bridge between China and the world.
短语
1.对…过敏____________________
2.联系某人电话是12345…____________________
3.旅游景点（spot）____________________
4.接收，接管，承袭____________________
5.给某人颁发某物____________________
6.犯罪____________________
7.毕业证书____________________
8.以…为例____________________
9.元宵节____________________
10.如下____________________
短文改错
In early 1800’s a new kind power changed transportation and trade along the Mississippi River. This power was steam. People already knew that how to use steam engines to run machines. Some people wanted to move boats by the same way. The first steamboats to travel on the Mississippi was the “New Orleans”, which made its first trip in 1811. It was a great successful, and by 1819 there were 191 steamboats travel on the long river. In the past, the farmers products went to other parts of the country used steamboats. The manufacturers whose trade depend on cheap and easy transportation used steamboats so well.
短文改错
Once a man got on a bus for New York. He hid herself in the toilet, because he did not want to pay. But the passenger saw him. She tapped the person in front of her on the shoulder and say, “There’s a bum (流浪汉) in the toilet. Tell the bus driver.” The message was pass from person to person. But anywhere along the way, it was changed. The bus driver told that there was a bomb in the toilet. He immediate stopped the bus and telephoned the police. When the police came, they told the passengers to get off the bus or stay far away. Then they closed the highway, which resulted from a traffic jam. The police searched for several hour. Of course they found no bomb at all!
