Though pigs may never fly, a two-year-old pig in Franschhoek, South Africa is proving they sure can paint! Meet Pigcasso, the world's first known pig artist whose masterpieces are selling for thousands of dollars to benefit Farm Sanctuary S. A. , Africa's only registered shelter for rescued farm animals.
Joanne Lefson, who saved Pigcasso from a slaughterhouse(屠宰场) two years ago, discovered the animal's artistic talent accidentally. The South African activist says, of the numerous toys presented to keep the then four-week-old piglet entertained, it was the paintbrushes that seemed to attract her the most. "They were the only thing she didn't eat," Lefson quips.
The rescuer decided to present the pig with canvas and paint and see what happened. To her delight, Pigcasso began creating works of art that can best be described as "abstract expressionism". Now weighing a hefty(重量）450 pounds, the celebrated pig, who loves to paint the area's scenic landscapes, has a dedicated "studio" at Farm Sanctuary S.A. where she resides. Lefson says, "I do not force her to paint. She paints when she wants to. "
Pigcasso's artwork, which has thus far been sold online, is currently on display at Cape Town's picturesque Victoria ~ Alfred Waterfront. Dubbed "Oink", the pop-up exhibition will run through March 5before heading to London-Paris-Berlin, and Amsterdam. Lefson says its main aim is to highlight the effect of animal agriculture on the planet and inspire change.
While Pigcasso is the first pig and first nonhuman to headline an exhibition, she is not the first animal to create masterpieces. Elephants, sea lions, and even penguins have shown similar artistic talent--in exchange for some treats, of course!
1.Which of the following shows Pigcasso is good at painting?
A. She can fly everywhere.
B. She likes all kinds of toys.
C. She is interested in the paintbrushes.
D. She enjoys eating the paintbrushes.
2.How did Lefson feel when she saw Pigcasso creating works?
A. Pleased. B. Puzzled.
C. Worried. D. Frightened.
3.What can we know from Paragraph 4?
A. Animal agriculture is important.
B. Pigcasso can make a lot of money.
C. Pigcasso will be sold online soon.
D. Pigcasso's artwork will be shown in a few cities.
4.The author mentions elephants, sea lions and penguins in Paragraph 5 to tell us that _____ .
A. they are very naughty.
B. they have artistic skills.
C. they are as strong as Pigcasso.
D. their appearances are similar to each other.
You can't always predict a heavy rain or remember your umbrella. But designer Mikhail Belvacv doesn't think that forgetting to check the weather forecast before heading out should result in you getting wet.
That's why he created Lampbrella, a lamp post with its own rain sensing umbrella.
The designer says he came up with the idea after watching people get wet on streets in Russia. "Once, I was driving on a central Saint Petersburg street and saw the street lamps lighting up people trying to hide from the rain. I thought it would be appropriate to have a canopy(伞蓬) built into a street lamp,"he said.
The Lampbrella is a standard-looking street lamp fitted with an umbrella canopy. It has a built-in electric motor which can open or close the umbrella on demand. Sensors (传感器)then ensure that the umbrella offers pedestrians shelter whenever it starts raining.
In addition to the rain sensor, there's also a 360 motion sensor on the fiberglass street lamp which detects whether anyone's using the Lampbrella. After three minutes of not being used the canopy is closed.
According to the designer, the Lampbrella would move at a relatively low speed, so as not to cause harm to the pedestrians. Besides, it would be grounded to protect from possible lighting strike. Each Lampbrella would offer enough shelter for several people. Being installed at 2 meters off the ground it would only be a danger for the tallest of pedestrians.
While there are no plans to take Lampbrella into production, Belyaev says he recently introduced his creation to one Moscow Department and insists this creation should be installed on the street where a lot of people walk but there are no canopies to provide shelter.
1.For what purpose did Belyaev create the Lampbrella?
A. To predict a heavy rain.
B. To check the weather forecast.
C. To protect people from the rain.
D. To remind people to take an umbrella.
2.What do we know from Belyaev's words in Paragraph 2?
A. His creation was inspired by an experience.
B. It rains a lot in the city of Saint Petersburg.
C. Street lamps are protected by canopies.
D. He enjoyed taking walks in the rain.
3.Which of the following show how the Lampbrella works?
A. Motor→canopy→sensors.
B. Sensors→motor→canopy.
C. Motor→sensors→canopy.
D. Canopy→motor→sensors.
4.What does Paragraph 5 mainly tell us about the Lampbreila?
A. Its moving speed.
B. Its appearance.
C. Its installation.
D. Its safety.
World-famous scientist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. He was often called the most brilliant theoretical physicist since Albert Einstein. But his amazing career actually started as a young man who struggled to get around to doing his homework at Oxford University where he studied physics. He then went on to Cambridge to research cosmology, the study of the origin of universe.
When he was 21, Hawking's life hit a big hurdle. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The disease causes the brain to stop sending messages to a person's muscles. At the time, doctors said he would only live for around 2 years, but he proved them very, very wrong.
And with the help of a special wheelchair and speech computer, Hawking spent much of his time researching the beginning of the universe and black holes. His most famous discovery was probably when he demonstrated that black holes emit some radiation, which has since become known as Hawking Radiation. He also spent a lot of time thinking about what existed before the big bang.
Hawking wrote books that explained his big ideas in ways that could be understood by the average person. In 1988 he published A Brief History of Time. It became really popular and sold more than 10 million copies. However, he wasn't just known for his books. He also had a lot of fun becoming a regular on TV screens around the world. He even had a big Hollywood film made about his life.
Throughout his life Stephen Hawking inspired people to look beyond our planet and expand our knowledge of the universe. His family says that he'll be greatly missed and the legacy of his amazing ideas will live on.
1.Why does the author mention Albert Einstein in Paragraph 1?
A. To tell us Hawking was a great physicist.
B. To compare the two famous people.
C. To show he was Hawking's teacher.
D. To identify a special period further.
2.How did Hawking prove the doctor's wrong?
A. He did many experiments.
B. He made some comparisons.
C. He tried to send signals to his muscles.
D. He lived for long like other common people.
3.What was Hawking famous for most?
A. Big bang.
B. Black holes.
C. Radiation from the black holes.
D. A big Hollywood film about the universe.
4.What does Hawking's family think of him?
A. He'll be forgotten soon.
B. His idea of the universe is valuable.
C. He won't be understood completely.
D. He won't be found by others any more.
San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer. (Included in ticket price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tour times upon request
Duration ( 时长 ) :2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco's most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing from the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Duration : 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31 st Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.
Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23rd
This attractive tour takes you to some of San
Francisco's most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into theholiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1.Which of the tours is available in March?
A. San Francisco Winery Tour.
B. Back to the Fifties Tour.
C. Spooky Halloween Tour.
D. Holiday Lights Tour.
2.What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tour'?
A. Go to Treasure Island.
B. Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C. Have free ice cream.
D. Visit the Presidio district.
3.What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?
A. Take some drinks.
B. Set off early in the morning.
C. Wear warm clothes.
D. Make reservations in advance.
假定你是李华，得知学校手语社（the School Sign Language Club）正在招收新成员，你想邀请在中国作交换生的美国好友Henry加入该社团，请给Henry写封信，邀请他加入。内容包括：
1. 邀请加入的理由（如学习手语可以帮助他人；可以交到新朋友等）。
2. 报名方式及截止日期。
注意：（1）词数100左右；（2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Henry,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
If we often question whether that we are told is true, we can find the correct answer and learn more. Several days ago, our teacher offered us an answer to a difficulty math problem in class. Although an answer seemed a little strange, but only I doubted it. I thought of his answer might be wrong, I carefully considered the problem and tried to work them out in a different way. Half an hour late, I finally managed to find the correct answer. When I showed the answer to him, the teacher praised me for my independence thinking.
From this experience I had already come to the conclusion that questioning can serve as a bridge where helps us find the truth.
